How do I quickly recognize a heart attack?

Often alarm signals are not detected in time
More than 300,000 people suffer, according to the German Heart Foundation e.V. in this country annually a heart attack. More than 55,000 people die as a result of the infarction, in most cases before arriving at the clinic. Many cases, however, would be avoidable if greater attention was paid to the warning signs and treatment could begin earlier. On the occasion of the foundation's current Herzwochen, experts explain which alarm signals should be taken seriously. More than 55,000 patients die each year as a result of a heart attack
More than 55,000 patients a year die from heart attacks, with many failing to reach the hospital in time. According to the German Heart Foundation, there are two main reasons for the high infarct mortality: On the one hand there is a particularly high risk of death in the first few minutes and hours after the onset of the heartbeat, on the other hand too much time would be wasted alerting the ambulance or emergency physician.

Many misjudge the signs of a heart attack. Picture: hriana - fotolia

"Too many people in our country still do not know that every single minute counts and wait too long for a heart attack: but the faster the patient is treated at the clinic, the better the chances of survival and the lower the risk of serious heart damage towards heart failure with significant loss of quality of life ", emphasizes cardiologist Prof. Dr. med. med. Heribert Schunkert from the German Heart Center Munich and advisory board member of the German Heart Foundation.

Short episodes of chest pain may be heralds
On the occasion of "Herzwochen 2015", the German Heart Foundation is therefore putting the issue increasingly in the public eye and, through events and advisory services, provides important information on the alarm signals, harbingers and the correct emergency behavior in the event of a heart attack. "Not a few people are warned in the days or weeks before a heart attack. These are, for example, short episodes of chest pain, possibly radiating to the left arm or the lower jaw, which subside again after a few minutes, "explains Professor Peter Radke in the expert chat by" t-online ".

Frequently, non-specific signs also appear
Many people would, however, from a "clear sky" hit by a heart attack, the physician stresses. In this case, severe chest pain lasting more than five minutes and a strong sense of constriction in the heart area are typical, as if "an elephant is standing on the chest", informs the Heart Foundation. Often, the pain radiates into other areas such as arms, shoulder blades, neck or jaw, and upper abdominal pain and a heavy burning sensation in the chest can be important indications of an infarct. In addition, an infarct can also be characterized by "nonspecific signs" such as strong inner restlessness, cold sweat, facial blubber, back pain, shortness of breath and nausea and vomiting - which is slightly more common in women than in men.

However, piercing the heart is not a typical warning signal - even if it leaves many affected immediately think of an infarction and provides appropriate fears. "Heartache is usually not expressed by stitches. Maybe there is a problem with the musculoskeletal system, which can be further clarified, "explains Prof. Axel Schmermund in the chat. Tension of the musculature or diaphragm cramps are possible here, but it is possible, for example. also an esophageal disease or gastritis. (No)