Sweating Prompts Heart Attack Care
Sweating May Be a Key Factor in Heart Attack Victims’ Seeking of Treatment
Nov. 15, 2005 – Sweating appears to be the symptom that prompts more people suffering a heart attack to get to the hospital, researchers have discovered.
“Heart attack patients often deny symptoms, delaying treatment, but those who sweat are more likely to seek treatment earlier,” says Catherine Ryan, PhD, RN, project coordinator of medical-surgical nursing in the department of nursing at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Delays in seeking treatment remain a serious problem in heart attack victims’ seeking of treatment that can seriously affect the outcome, she told those attending the American Heart Association.
“The typical heart attack symptoms include chest pain, shoulder and arm pain, and neck and jaw discomfort.”
Women Experience Delays In Diagnosis
Detrow’s rapid heartbeat was another dangerous heart attack warning sign that shouldn’t be ignored, Goldberg said. “During a heart attack, you are at greater risk for life-threatening arrhythmia.”
Haynes predicted that a successful campaign could save “hundreds if not thousands of lives.” More women than men die within a month of suffering a heart attack, she said, citing unpublished data tabulated by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute that found a 28-day mortality rate for women after a heart attack was 14.6 percent, compared with 10.2 percent for men. “We think part of the reason is because they delay,” Haynes said.
Not only do women hesitate to call 911, but even when emergency medical responders arrive at her house, some women will send them away. She may even take an aspirin to see if she feels better, because she’s heard aspirin can be helpful. “If you’re going to take an aspirin, you need to simultaneously call 911,” Goldberg said.
Once women reach the ER, it takes a while for them to get diagnosed. “That’s because nurses and doctors don’t routinely ask about atypical symptoms,” Mosca said. “There is not a standard way of actually asking these questions.”
“The challenge is they’re in denial and waiting for it to go away,” she said. “They don’t want to be embarrassed. We have to help women overcome the fear of being wrong, because that’s a fatal mistake.”
When To See A Healthcare Provider
If you experience any of the following contact a healthcare provider or head to the emergency room immediately:
- New shortness of breath
- Rapidly deteriorating ability to catch your breath for any reason your ability to breath
- Shortness of breath that is different from past episodes
- Shortness of breath that is accompanied by swelling in your feet and ankles
- Trouble breathing when you lie flat
- Shortness of breath accompanied by high fever, chills, cough, or wheezing
Recommended Reading: Best Vitamins For Fatigue And Depression
Sudden Vision Changes May Be Signs Of A Stroke
As you age, its normal for your vision to progressively worsen. But dont ever ignore visual changes that affect only one eye, the sudden onset of double vision, or the inability to see the center of what youre looking at.
Vision changes that occur suddenly can be signs of a stroke. Theyre particularly alarming if they come with other warning symptoms of stroke, such as numbness on one side of the body, or difficulty speaking or finding the right words. More subtle variations on these symptoms could indicate a transient ischemic attack, commonly called a mini-stroke. Getting them checked out could prevent a larger stroke later, Baechler says.
Excessive Sweating Comes On Suddenly And Unexpectedly
Sudden, unexpected sweating could be a sign youre stressed or anxious. This type of sweat is different from the perspiration that results from your bodys attempts to cool you down because its caused by a surge in adrenaline, or your bodys fight-or-flight response, explained Dr. Caesar Djavaherian, cofounder and chief medical officer at Carbon Health whos based in Berkeley, California
Unexpected sweating could also be the first sign of a heart attack or an underlying heart problem, he added. If you suspect youre experiencing a heart attack, youll want to reach out for emergency help as quickly as possible.
That said, a sudden onset of sweating isnt always a reason to panic. It can come with certain situations, such as with warmer temperatures, spicy foods, exercise, or stress, and doesnt always mean theres a more significant underlying condition, said Dr. Marisa Garshick, a dermatologist in New York City and chief medical correspondent for Certain Dri, an over-the-counter antiperspirant. You should address any concerns with your doctor.
Also Check: What Causes Extreme Fatigue During The Day
Recommended Reading: How Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Diagnosed
How To Treat Shortness Of Breath
There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for shortness of breath. Shortness of breath can range from mild to severe.
In mild cases, your shortness of breath may go away simply by changing your position or doing breathing exercises.
In moderate cases, your shortness of breath may go away after taking medications that open the airway or reduce inflammation .
No matter the case, never take shortness of breath lightly, and contact your healthcare provider immediately if you are struggling to breathe.
Medical management is specific to the cause of your shortness of breath. For example, if a medication you are taking is the cause of your shortness of breath your healthcare provider may suggest that you cut back or discontinue the use of the offending agent. They will likely take a thorough history checking for any potential drug interactions, allergic reactions, or even misunderstandings on how to take your medications.
If the cause of your shortness of breath is pleural effusion , draining the effusion may result in the resolution of your symptoms. Resolving the underlying issue is always the most effective way to treat shortness of breath.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
BPPV is a condition that affects the inner ear. People with BPPV experience severe feelings of vertigo when they change the position of their head, such as bending over or turning quickly. Episodes of BPPV typically last less than a minute.
There are crystals in your inner ear that monitor the positioning of your head. BPPV happens when these crystals become dislodged. This can cause an intense dizzy spell that seems to come out of nowhere.
Some people with BPPV may also sweat while enduring feelings of dizziness or vertigo. Other symptoms may include:
- nausea and vomiting
Treatment for BPPV involves the Epley maneuver, which can help reposition the dislodged crystals in your ear. In some cases, surgery may be recommended.
Don’t Miss: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment
You’re Sweating All Over Your Body Instead Of In Just One Area Like The Armpits Or Face
All-over body sweating can occur in various forms of secondary hyperhidrosis, or sweating that is caused by or associated with another disorder or medication.
Still, most of the time, generalized sweating is a normal reaction to heat, stress, or exercise, Djavaherian said. If you’re unsure whether your experience is normal, checking with your doctor is the best course of action.
Read more:Why your dress shirt yellows when you sweat and how to fix it
When To Seek Care
If you experience dizziness and sweating thats unexplained, happens frequently, or begins to interfere with your daily activities, see your doctor. They can help determine what may be causing your symptoms.
If you dont already have a primary care doctor, the Healthline FindCare tool can help you find a physician in your area.
Seek emergency medical care for dizziness and sweating that occurs with the following symptoms:
Read Also: Antivirals For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
You’re Withdrawn Socially Or You Feel Anxious In Everyday Situations
If you find that you’re fearful of or avoiding certain situations due to the possibility of sweating, discuss it with a trusted doctor or therapist, who can help you manage these feelings and symptoms.
“It is known that excessive sweating can have an impact on quality of life, impacting people’s relationships, work, and daily life, and this can occur no matter what the reason behind the sweating is,” Garshick said. A 2019 study even showed that people who experience primary hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating without a cause, have higher rates of anxiety, depression, and attention deficit disorder than the general population.
Tests To Diagnose The Cause Of Shortness Of Breath
Dyspnea has many causes, which can make it difficult to find a diagnosis. To determine what might be causing your shortness of breath, your healthcare provider may recommend/perform one of these tests:
- Noninvasive cardiopulmonary exercise testing: This testing requires using catheters during exerciseusually stationary cycling or running on a treadmill to assess how the body is utilizing oxygen, and to measure heart and lung function. This type of advanced testing is not available in all hospitals, but it is the gold standard method to determine the cause of your shortness of breat.
- Electrocardiogram : Detecting abnormalities on an ECGa test involving attaching small electrodes to your chest to measure electrical impulses of the heartis helpful in diagnosing cardiac causes of shortness of breath. Common heart conditions that may be detected by ECG include arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, cardiac tamponade, and cardiomyopathy.
- Chest X-ray: This is helpful to identify obstructions or blockages and anatomical abnormalities that may cause shortness of breath.
- Pulmonary function testing : A group or series of noninvasive tests that show how well air is moving in and out of the lungs and how well oxygen is being transferred from the lungs to the blood by measuring lung volume, capacity, rates of flow, and gas exchange.
You May Like: Frequent Urination Blurred Vision And Fatigue
You’re Sweating Only At Night
Most people experience night sweats when it’s hot outside or the temperature in their bedroom is too high. But if you’re keeping the temperature in your room cool, using breathable fabrics and bedding, and still sweating excessively at night, you might have a medical concern at hand.
“Night sweats can mean an infection such as tuberculosis or the flu, or it can certain types of cancer such as lymphoma,” Garshick said. “It can also be related to hormonal changes such as menopause or due to a medication.” Substance abuse and withdrawal can also lead to night sweats, she added.
Youre Under A Lot Of Stress Or Experiencing Panic Attacks
Lots of people sweat in stressful situations, like before public speaking. But if sweating is accompanied by other symptoms of panic or anxiety, youll want to check in with a doctor or therapist, who can help correctly diagnose any underlying mental health concerns.
Intense emotion and stress can bring out sweating in anyone, Garshick said. If you experience panic attacks or increased levels of stress related to a persistent and excessive worry about everyday situations, this can mean that you are also experiencing anxiety.
Anxiety-related sweating can be a vicious, self-perpetuating cycle in which the anticipation of sweating actually causes you to sweat. The good news is there are plenty of medication-based and therapeutic treatments to help ease these worries. Seeing a professional may help both manage the anxiety and the sweat.
Read Also: Kyolic Garlic Stress And Fatigue
You May Like: Oak Pollen Allergy Symptoms Fatigue
Youre Also Experiencing Sudden Weight Loss
If youre rapidly losing weight and sweating excessively, you may have a thyroid condition like hyperthyroidism. Infections including tuberculosis and mononucleosis, as well as certain types of cancers, can lead to these symptoms too, Garshick said.
If youre experiencing sudden weight loss and sweating, it can mean many different things and is important to see a board-certified physician, she said.
Sweat Is Good Indicator Heart Attack May Be Coming
- Date:
- University of Illinois at Chicago
- Summary:
- Sweating during physical activity or in hot weather is healthy. But when individuals begin perspiring while experiencing discomfort in their chest, arm, neck or jaw — with little or no exertion — it could be the onset of a heart attack, according to a new study at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Sweating during physical activity or in hot weather is healthy. But when individuals begin perspiring while experiencing discomfort in their chest, arm, neck or jaw — with little or no exertion — it could be the onset of a heart attack, according to a new study at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
“We can stop a heart attack during the process, but you have to get to the hospital first,” said Catherine Ryan, research assistant professor of medical surgical nursing. “The real push for improved survival is to get them there early.”
Ryan presented her findings at the American Heart Association’s annual meeting this week in Dallas.
Time is of the essence during a heart attack, and doctors have urged people who experience common symptoms — shortness of breath, cold sweats, nausea, lightheadedness, or discomfort in the chest, arm, neck or jaw — to get to a hospital as quickly as possible. But delay in seeking treatment is common, and worsens the outcome after a heart attack, Ryan said.
The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health through UIC’s Center for Reducing Risks in Vulnerable Populations.
Story Source:
Recommended Reading: How To Manage Ms Fatigue
What You Should Do During A Heart Attack
If you think you are having a heart attack, you or someone nearby should call emergency services immediately. Its unsafe to drive yourself to the hospital during a heart attack, so call an ambulance. While you may feel awake and alert enough to drive, the chest pain could get so severe that you may have trouble breathing or difficulty thinking clearly.
You’re Under A Lot Of Stress Or Experiencing Panic Attacks
Lots of people sweat in stressful situations, like before public speaking. But if sweating is accompanied by other symptoms of panic or anxiety, you’ll want to check in with a doctor or therapist, who can help correctly diagnose any underlying mental health concerns.
“Intense emotion and stress can bring out sweating in anyone,” Garshick said. “If you experience panic attacks or increased levels of stress related to a persistent and excessive worry about everyday situations, this can mean that you are also experiencing anxiety.”
Anxiety-related sweating can be a vicious, self-perpetuating cycle in which the anticipation of sweating actually causes you to sweat. The good news is there are plenty of medication-based and therapeutic treatments to help ease these worries. Seeing a professional may help both manage the anxiety and the sweat.
Read more:How to overcome a panic attack, according to a psychologist
Recommended Reading: What Is Treatment For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing Can Help Reveal Unusual Reasons For These Common Symptoms And Also Shed Light On Long Covid
One of the vexing things about certain common health complaints is the range of possible underlying causes. For example, feeling short of breath is perfectly normal after a burst of vigorous exercise. But for some people, even mild exertion can trigger a sensation of breathlessness, or what doctors call dyspnea. Its often accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue and lightheadedness.
Most of the time, heart or lung issues are to blame. In many cases, routine tests including a chest x-ray, echocardiogram , lung function tests, and blood tests can uncover the underlying reason for a persons breathlessness.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
- Research health conditions
- Prepare for a doctors visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
Lets Win This Together
Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women. Support the innovative research, education and prevention services that protect the women we love.
Weve all seen the movie scenes where a man gasps, clutches his chest and falls to the ground. In reality, a heart attack victim could easily be a woman, and the scene may not be that dramatic.
Although men and women can experience chest pressure that feels like an elephant sitting across the chest, women can experience a heart attack without chest pressure, said Nieca Goldberg, M.D., medical director for the Joan H. Tisch Center for Womens Health at NYUs Langone Medical Center and an American Heart Association volunteer. Instead they may experience shortness of breath, pressure or pain in the lower chest or upper abdomen, dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting, upper back pressure or extreme fatigue.
Even when the signs are subtle, the consequences can be deadly, especially if the victim doesnt get help right away.
Some adults are more at risk of getting pneumonia than others. At-risk groups include:
- people older than 65 years
- people who have chronic conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes
- people taking acid-reducing medicines for conditions such as heartburn and
- people with weakened immune systems.
Read Also: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Test Online
You May Like: Does Low Blood Sugar Cause Fatigue
When To Go To The Hospital
You need to seek emergency treatment if you have any of these symptoms:
Chest Pain
Chest pain should always be considered a serious symptom because it can indicate an emergency situation. If youre experiencing chest pain and any of these factors apply to you, you should seek emergency care:
- You have a strong family history of early heart disease.
- Youre 45 years old or older and you have any of the risk factors for coronary artery disease, including obesity, smoking, family history, diabetes, high cholesterol, or a sedentary lifestyle.
- The pain is worse than any other chest pain youve had.
- The pain feels like its spreading to your neck, shoulders, upper abdomen, arms, back, or jaws.
- The pain is crushing, tight, heavy, or feels like squeezing.
- You also feel nauseous, fatigued, weak, short of breath, dizzy, sweaty, or youve fainted.
- You feel like something is very wrong.
- The pain keeps getting worse as the minutes pass.
- The pain is unlike anything youve experienced before.
Heart Attack Symptoms
If you have symptoms of a heart attack, be sure to seek emergency medical care. These symptoms include:
- Chest or arm pain, pressure, or discomfort that may spread to your neck, back, or jaw
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness and loss of coordination
- Difficulty breathing
If youre with a loved one and suspect he or she is having a stroke, use these measures to help you determine if theres a problem:
Sudden Cardiac Arrest
