Sick in the heart, pain elsewhere, for peers, stomach pain is also a precursor to myocardial infarction?
【Fan Letter】In the quiet of the night, Mr. Zhang suddenly felt a severe stomach pain. He curled up on the bed, cold sweat streaming down his forehead. His wife, Ms. Li, heard his moaning, but thought it was just an ordinary stomach ache, so she didn't worry too much. Mr. Zhang insisted on going to the hospital, but Ms. Li felt that calling an ambulance in the middle of the night was too fussy and only advised him to take some stomach medicine at home. Mr. Zhang had to drive to the hospital alone.
Early the next morning, Ms. Li received a call from the hospital. The doctor told her that Mr. Zhang was not just an ordinary stomach ache, but was actually a symptom of a heart attack. Hearing the news, Ms. Li felt incredulous and even a little angry. She questioned whether the hospital was cheating on money, how could a stomach ache turn into a heart attack. She resolutely refused to go to the hospital.
Ms. Li's attitude angered Mr. Zhang's mother, who believed that her daughter-in-law's indifference and ignorance had put her son in danger. She angrily said that she wanted to find a new daughter-in-law.
1. Common symptoms of heart disease
Chest pain or discomfort: often described as a feeling of pressure or severe pain in the chest. This pain may radiate to the left arm, neck, or jaw, which is known as radiating pain and is a telltale sign of heart problems.
Shortness of breath: Heart problems can cause the heart to pump less efficiently, causing congestion in the lungs and making it difficult to breathe. Patients may feel unable to breathe deeply, often wheezing or shortness of breath.
Nausea and vomiting: This may be related to a disordered nerve signal caused by heart problems, leading to an upset stomach. Nausea and vomiting are often accompanied by other heart symptoms, such as chest pain or shortness of breath.
Dizziness or syncope: Due to heart problems that can lead to a lack of blood supply, this can affect the function of the brain, leading to dizziness or even syncope. This is a serious symptom that requires immediate medical intervention.
Neck, shoulder, or back discomfort: This discomfort is often associated with pain or discomfort caused by heart problems that can spread up to the neck, or radiate to the shoulders and back.
Fatigue: Heart problems can cause the heart to pump less efficiently, reducing the oxygen supply to all parts of the body, leading to feelings of fatigue. Patients may feel tired and weak even at rest.
2. The link between stomach pain and heart health
The causes of stomach pain are varied: Stomach pain can be caused by a variety of causes, including digestive issues, stomach ulcers, gallbladder problems, and more. When people experience stomach pain, they usually think about these common stomach problems first without immediately associating it with heart problems.
Pain conduction: The link between stomach pain and heart problems is that pain can be transmitted to different sites. This is because both the heart and stomach are related to the nervous system, and pain signals can travel through nerve pathways. People may feel stomach pain, but it's actually caused by heart problems.
Similar symptoms: Some heart conditions, especially angina, can cause stomach upset and pain because heart disease can interfere with the nerves and blood supply associated with the stomach.
3. Stomach pain may be a precursor to myocardial infarction
Occult myocardial infarction: Some people may experience occult myocardial infarction, in which a heart attack occurs without significant symptoms of chest pain. Instead, they may experience stomach upset, pain, or discomfort, which may be mistaken for a common stomach problem. Knowing this condition is essential for early detection of heart problems.
Atypical symptoms: Atypical symptoms of myocardial infarction include stomach pain, indigestion, back discomfort, etc. These symptoms usually don't cause immediate alarm, but they can be a sign of an underlying heart problem.
Risk groups: Some people are more likely to develop heart disease, including smokers, people with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. If these people don't seek timely medical help when they feel stomach pain, they may miss a critical window of treatment.
4. How to recognize stomach pain caused by heart problems
Know your personal risk: Find out if you're at high risk of heart disease. If you have risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or a family history of heart disease, these factors increase your risk of heart disease and need to monitor your heart health more closely.
Focus on symptom duration: Stomach pain is usually temporary, and if your stomach pain lasts for a longer period of time, especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, etc., then it should be considered that it may be related to heart problems. Persistent symptoms can be a sign of heart problems and should not be ignored.
Seek medical help: If you feel unwell, especially if you experience chest pain or symptoms similar to heart problems, do not hesitate to seek medical attention immediately. Heart problems can worsen in a short period of time, so early diagnosis and treatment can save lives. Don't try to self-diagnose or postpone seeing a doctor, especially if you think the symptoms are related to heart problems.
Medical tests: Your doctor may do a series of medical tests, such as an electrocardiogram, blood tests and a cardiogram, to determine if you have a heart problem. An electrocardiogram can detect the electrical activity of the heart, blood tests can assess cholesterol levels and other biochemical indicators, and a cardiogram can provide detailed information about the blood flow in the heart and the condition of the coronary arteries. These tests help doctors make an accurate diagnosis and plan their treatment accordingly.
Understanding the symptoms of heart disease and how it relates to stomach pain can help people better protect their heart health. Don't ignore your body's signals, seeking medical help in time could save your life.
