The main cause of death globally is still heart disease. Heart attacks may occur suddenly without any warning signs. However, in the film industry, intense chest pain would be portrayed for a heart attack. In actuality, many patients have slight symptoms that go unnoticed until the time of their heart attack days or even weeks prior to that.

Heart attacks do not always announce themselves with dramatic chest pain. Often, they manifest in subtle, easy-to-dismiss ways. Recognizing these overlooked warning signs and taking proactive steps toward cardiovascular health can save lives. If you or someone you know experiences any of these symptoms, seeking immediate medical care is crucial. Prioritizing heart health today can help prevent life-threatening complications in the future.

Warning Sings of A Heart Attack

1. Discomfort Pressure in the Chest

One of the earliest and most common warning signs of an impending heart attack is pressure, tightness, or fullness in the chest. This pain is not typically sharp and sudden, like most people associate with a heart attack, but it can be intermittent, coming in waves, and lasting for several minutes before fading away. According to the American Heart Association, this is one of the red flags when accompanied by exertion. If you have persistent chest pressure, you should call emergency services immediately.

2. Pain Radiating to Other Parts of the Body

The well-known symptom of chest pain can also manifest discomfort related to a heart attack as pain radiating to other parts of the body. It is not unusual for people experiencing this kind of heart attack to report feeling pain in the shoulders, arms, back, neck, and even jaw. The vagus nerve is one that connects the heart to the brain, abdomen, and neck. The pain may be referred to these regions. In case you experience a sudden, unexplained pain in these regions, especially when exercising, seek a doctor's opinion.

3. Dizziness and Lightheadedness

Feeling dizziness upon standing up quickly or missing a meal is common, but unexplained dizziness often with chest pain or shortness of breath is the first sign of heart attack. Sudden hypotension can seriously decrease the blood supply to the brain and cause dizziness. Dizziness that does not go away on its own should not be ignored.

4. Unexplained Fatigue

It often happens that excessive tiredness, particularly in a busy lifestyle, is considered trivial, but ongoing fatigue, mostly in women, is a predictor of heart failure. According to some studies, extreme fatigue often starts a month before a heart attack, primarily in women. This is simply because the heart cannot pump well enough, leaving insufficient oxygen available to muscles and organs. Consult a healthcare professional if you become increasingly tired over time, yet are getting all the rest in the world.

5. Nausea, Indigestion, or Stomach Pain

Digestive problems like nausea, vomiting, or indigestion are often mistaken for acid reflux or food poisoning. However, these symptoms can also indicate reduced blood flow to the digestive tract, a common precursor to heart attacks. If you experience gastrointestinal distress alongside other symptoms like dizziness or chest discomfort, it's important to seek medical advice immediately.

6. Cold Sweats and Excessive Perspiration

Without apparent reason, a heart attack might be signaled by sudden sweating without any exercise or hot weather conditions. The heart's inability to function properly creates the body's "fight or flight" reaction, which means excessive sweating will occur. Be aware of your body and never ignore a cold sweat, particularly if it coincides with other symptoms.

7. Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat

A racing or irregular heartbeat can be a normal reaction to stress or caffeine consumption. However, regular or unprovoked heart palpitations may indicate that the heart is under duress. If the heart is not getting enough oxygen-rich blood, it can start to beat irregularly. If you experience palpitations along with dizziness, chest pain, or shortness of breath, you should see a doctor right away.

8. Shortness of Breath

If suddenly climbing stairs or performing other everyday activities becomes a problem, then there may be a heart issue. Shortness of breath usually occurs with heart conditions because the circulation is not adequate and less oxygen is provided to the lungs. This symptom can occur either with or without chest pain and is an important indicator of the presence of underlying heart disease. If you find yourself experiencing sudden unexplained breathlessness, then seek a healthcare provider as soon as possible.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Early detection of these symptoms and early intervention can help avoid a life-threatening heart attack. You should visit a doctor if you feel the following symptoms:

• Symptoms induced by exertion and relieved by rest
• The simultaneous onset of several warning signs, including weakness, dizziness, and nausea
• Personal or family history of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, or smoking

Preventing Heart Attacks: Proactive Steps for Heart Health

Although heart attacks may come out of nowhere, lifestyle plays an important role in reducing a patient's risk; here are some heart-healthy habits to consider:

Take on a Heart-Healthy Diet: Focus on consuming whole foods, lean proteins, healthy fats, and fiber-rich fruits and vegetables. Try to limit processed foods, saturated fats, and added sugars.

Stay Active: Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week to strengthen your heart and improve blood circulation.

Smoking. Smoking is probably the single largest risk factor for heart disease. If you are a smoker, quitting can easily be the single best thing you can do to improve your heart health.

Deal with Stress: Chronic stress leads to heart disease. Relaxed people through various relaxation techniques including yoga, meditation, and even deep breathing, have lesser stresses.

Regular health checks Monitor blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar on a regular basis. The risk factors' early detection can help avoid serious complications.

It was during the COVID-19 pandemic that Annabelle Gurwitch, an American author, actress, and television host, developed a "a little persistent cough".

Suspecting it to be a COVID symptom, Annabelle went for a check-up. Her doctor alarmingly informed her about something suspicious on her lungs. Soon after, an X-ray and a biopsy confirmed her diagnosis of stage 4 cancer.

But, here's the catch. Annabelle is a non-smoker. She also lived a healthy lifestyle and exercised every day, and felt like she was in really good health, besides the persistent little cough.

Also read:American Author Annabelle Gurwitch Writes New Memoir On Stage-4 Lung Cancer Diagnosis

HealthandMe spoke to health experts to understand how a persistent cough signals the risk of lung cancer.

If you, too, are a non-smoker who is leading a healthy lifestyle and has no medical conditions other than a persistent cough, then you must visit your doctor right away, advised the experts.

"A persistent cough can be an early warning sign of lung cancer, especially when it shows specific features rather than behaving like a routine respiratory illness," Dr Sameer Khatri, Principal Director - Medical Oncology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj, told HealthandMe.

The doctor noted that the cough becomes suspicious when it persists beyond three weeks without a clear cause or fails to respond to standard symptomatic treatment such as cough syrups, bronchodilators, etc.

"A change in a pre-existing smoker’s cough—for example, becoming more frequent, severe, or different in character—is particularly important. In non-smokers, a new, unexplained chronic cough should not be ignored," Dr. Khatri said.

Certain associated symptoms further strengthen the suspicion of cancer. The most significant is hemoptysis, the coughing up of blood or blood-stained mucus, even if minimal.

Other red flags include

• unintentional weight loss,
• chest pain,
• breathlessness,
• hoarseness,
• recurrent pneumonia in the same lung region.
• age >40 years,
• smoking history, occupational exposures.

Persistent cough: TB Vs Lung Cancer

Persistent cough also signals the risk of tuberculosis (TB) -- the world's most deadliest infectious disease. Understanding the differences between these two causes is critical for early diagnosis and timely treatment.

Dr Seema Jagiasi from MOC Cancer Care Center told HealthandMe that the cough in TB may sometimes produce blood-tinged phlegm, but it is usually associated with signs of infection, such as fatigue and a general feeling of illness.

TB is more common in younger populations and in individuals with weakened immunity or poor living conditions.

"In contrast, a cough associated with lung cancer tends to be more insidious. It may start as a dry, persistent cough that gradually worsens over time. Unlike TB, it may not initially present with fever or infection-related symptoms," the doctor explained.

Also read: Suffering From Mid-back Pain? Doctors Say It May Be Spinal TB

One of the key differences lies in progression and response to treatment.

TB is treatable with a course of antibiotics, and symptoms often improve within weeks of starting therapy. However, a lung cancer-related cough persists or worsens despite routine medications.

Dr Jagiasi emphasized that any cough lasting beyond three weeks, especially when accompanied by alarming symptoms, should not be ignored.

"Early investigations, such as chest imaging and further diagnostic tests, can help distinguish between the two conditions," the doctor said.

While both TB and lung cancer may present with a persistent cough, their underlying causes, associated symptoms, and progression differ significantly.

The health experts called for more awareness and the need for timely medical evaluation for the effective management of the disease.

Irish Actor Michael Patrick, known for his significant role in Game of Thrones, has sadly passed away at the young age of 35.

Sharing the news in a post on social media platform Instagram, his wife Naomi Sheehan shared that Michael Patrick (whom she fondly calls Mick) died after a years-long battle with Motor Neurone Disease.

"Last night, Mick sadly passed away in the Northern Ireland Hospice. He was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease on 1st February 2023. He was admitted 10 days ago and was cared for by the incredible team there. He passed peacefully, surrounded by family and friends," Naomi said.

Calling Michael a "titan of a ginger-haired man", she said that “Words can’t describe how broken-hearted we are".

Naomi called Michael an "inspiration to everyone."

Also read: Dismissed as Anxiety: Terry Crew’s Wife Rebecca Shares Decade-Long Struggle With Parkinson’s

What Is Motor Neurone Disease (MND)

MND is a rare and progressive neurodegenerative disease. According to NHS UK, it causes muscle weakness that gets worse over a few months or years. It's usually life-shortening, and there's currently no cure, but treatment can help manage the symptoms.

Symptoms of MND include:

• stiff or weak hands
• weak legs and feet
• twitches, spasms, or muscle cramps (where muscles painfully tighten).

It makes everyday tasks such as climbing stairs or gripping objects difficult.

Also read: Grey’s Anatomy Star Eric Dane Dies After ALS Battle

As the disease advances, patients may develop difficulties with breathing, swallowing, and speech, along with changes in mood or personality. In later stages, walking and movement can become extremely limited.

Treatment of MND

About 1,500 people are diagnosed with MND each year, yet treatment choices remain scarce. Only a small proportion of patients currently qualify for therapies that target the disease process itself.

MND can be difficult to diagnose in the early stages. But as the symptoms get worse, it can usually be confirmed.

Tests used to help diagnose MND include:

• blood tests
• tests to check how well your nerves are working
• an MRI scan to help rule out other conditions that affect the brain and nerves

1. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): Early symptoms include muscle weakness in the arms and legs can cause you to trip and drop things.

2. Progressive bulbar palsy (PBP): It mainly affects muscles in the face, throat, and tongue, causing slurred speech and problems swallowing.

3. Progressive muscular atrophy (PMA): It causes weakness in the hands.

4. Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS): Leads to weak legs, sometimes with other symptoms, including speech problems.

Common treatment options for MND include:

• physiotherapy and exercises to help with muscle weakness and stiffness
• dietary advice to help you maintain weight
• speech and language therapist to help with talking
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help cope with emotions and feelings, such as anxiety and depression.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the SARS-CoV-2 virus had a significant impact on the eyes, causing conjunctivitis (pink eye), with red, itchy, watery, or painful eyes.

A new study now shows that eye symptoms may also be key in understanding the severity of long COVID, a collection of symptoms that last three months or longer after your first COVID symptoms.

The new study, published in the journal Clinical Ophthalmology, showed that the new onset of eye symptoms in people with long COVID may be an indicator of more severe disease.

Also read: Long Covid Causes Lasting Brain Inflammation And Lung Injury, Reveals Study

Key Findings

Researchers from the Yale School of Medicine analyzed survey data from 595 adults who self-reported having long COVID in surveys conducted from May 2022 to October 2023. They found that nearly 60 percent of people reported new-onset of ocular symptoms.

The findings suggest that ocular symptoms in long COVID may be interpreted as vision-related manifestations that cluster with systemic post-COVID conditions. The symptoms include a new onset of :

• blurred or lost vision,
• dry eyes,
• floaters or flashes

Notably, individuals with ocular symptoms reported:

• A greater overall symptom burden,
• Financial difficulties,
• Challenges in everyday life.

Also read: Long COVID: The Story Of Those Who Are Still Dealing With Symptoms And Illnesses

What is Long COVID

Long COVID includes a wide range of symptoms or conditions that may improve, worsen, or be ongoing. While anyone who gets COVID-19 can develop Long COVID, studies have shown that some groups of people are more likely to develop Long COVID than others, including:

• Women
• People who have experienced more severe COVID-19 illness, especially those who were hospitalized or needed intensive care
• People with underlying health conditions
• People who did not get a COVID-19 vaccine

While many of the Long COVID conditions remain to be fully recognized, some people have more than one symptom that can be moderate to severe, and also impact the quality of life. According to the US CDC, they include:

• Tiredness or fatigue
• Difficulty thinking or concentrating (sometimes called “brain fog”)
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Headache
• Dizziness on standing
• Fast-beating or pounding heart (known as heart palpitations)
• Chest pain
• Cough
• Joint or muscle pain
• Depression or anxiety
• Fever
• Loss of taste or smell