Heart attacks happen when an artery becomes blocked - and they can be life-threatening.
Most people are aware of common symptoms, such as chest pain and shortness of breath, however there are some less well-known warning signs, the Mirror reports.
Some people may not realise that sudden sweating without a clear cause could be a symptom of clogging arteries, which could lead to a heart attack.
Here are some symptoms that you may not have considered which are worth looking out for.
Unexplained sweating
Health experts warn that sweating more than usual, particularly if not exercising or because of the heat, could indicate early heart problems.
The link between sweat and potential heart attacks is due to the body needing to pump more blood through clogged arteries, which takes more effort from the heart.
The body then sweats more to try to keep the body temperature down during the extra exertion.
Night sweats
Night sweats are a common warning symptom for women regarding heart issues.
Experiencing night sweats is commonplace during menopause, which many women associate with sweating in bed.
However, waking up with your sheets soaked or being unable to sleep due to the sweating could also be a sign of a heart attack, especially in women, warn experts.
“Sweating may also be associated with atherosclerosis, which is a condition where the arteries are narrowed by the buildup of fatty deposits called plaques,” warns Drugs.com.
They added: “Atherosclerosis can lead to a heart attack and heart failure.
“When excessive sweating is due to an underlying medical condition such as a heart attack, it is called secondary hyperhidrosis.”
Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for excessive sweating.
Although sweating can be a sign of an underlying medical condition, it’s also your body’s way of cooling itself - particularly when over exerting yourself or when temperatures rise.
Other signs of a heart attack include:
- Pain or pressure in the chest or arms which radiates to the neck, jaw or back
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Nausea or indigestion
- Fatigue
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