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Copywriting丨Dr. Li's health protection
Editor丨Dr. Li Health Guard
My heart twitched suddenly, my chest felt like it was being crushed by a big rock, I had trouble breathing... These may be the symptoms of a heart attack that we are familiar with. But did you know that our bodies are quietly "warning" long before these obvious symptoms appear? Experts have found that heart attacks do "speak", it's just that most people don't "listen" carefully.
Heart attack, the life-threatening "invisible killer", takes the lives of countless people every year. It's like a lurking sniper, waiting for the perfect moment to strike a fatal blow. And if we can recognize and correctly interpret the subtle signals sent by the body in time, it is possible to avoid this catastrophe.
Professor Zhang, a cardiovascular expert, pointed out that the early symptoms of myocardial infarction are often mistaken for ordinary physical discomfort. Up to 90% of patients ignore these key warning signs and don't realize the severity of the problem until their symptoms worsen, but the golden time for treatment may have been missed.
What are the "warnings" of a heart attack? Experts interpret 4 early signs that are easy to overlook:
1. Inexplicable fatigue
Do you often feel so tired that you can't get it off even with plenty of rest? This can be a sign of declining heart function. When the blood supply to the heart is insufficient, the various organs and tissues of the body do not get enough oxygen and nutrients, and they naturally feel tired. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, this condition belongs to "qi deficiency and blood stasis", where the heart qi is insufficient, and the blood is unable to move, resulting in general weakness.
2. Mild difficulty breathing
Is it simply due to physical exhaustion when you suddenly feel breathless while climbing stairs or walking briskly? Don't take this lightly, this can be a sign of weakened heart function. The heart is unable to pump blood out efficiently, causing blood to accumulate in the lungs, causing breathing difficulties. Traditional Chinese medicine classifies this symptom as "deficiency of heart, lung, qi and blood", with cardiopulmonary dysfunction and poor flow of qi and blood.
3. Unexplained dizziness
Occasional dizziness may be mistaken for low blood sugar or fatigue. Persistent dizziness may indicate abnormal heart function. The heart is unable to supply enough blood and oxygen to the brain, causing dizziness. According to the view of traditional Chinese medicine, this is a manifestation of "lack of heart yang", and the heart yang is weak, unable to warm the whole body, and the leader is not honored.
4. Discomfort in the neck, jaw or arms
Heart problems don't always manifest as chest pain. Sometimes, patients experience discomfort or pain in the neck, jaw, or arms. This is because the nerves of the heart are widely distributed, and pain can "transfer" to these sites. In traditional Chinese medicine, this is called "heart and blood blockage", and the flow of qi and blood is blocked, resulting in poor meridians.
These symptoms may seem ordinary, but they may be a precursor to a heart attack. Experts warn that if these symptoms persist or recur, do not take them lightly and seek medical attention in time.
Why do heart attacks occur? Western medicine believes that myocardial infarction is mainly caused by coronary atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Traditional Chinese medicine attributes it to pathogenesis such as "qi stagnation and blood stasis" and "phlegm turbidity obstruction". The two medical theories are expressed differently, but both emphasize the importance of circulatory disorders.
What can we do to prevent a heart attack? Professor Zhang gave the following suggestions:
Maintain a healthy lifestyle: eat a reasonable diet, exercise moderately, quit smoking and limit alcohol, and maintain a good attitude. This is the advice of Western medicine, and it is also in line with the concept of "curing diseases before they occur" in Chinese medicine.
Regular physical examination: Through routine physical examination, risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, etc., can be detected early
Learn to observe yourself: Pay attention to small changes in your body and don't ignore any suspicious symptoms.
Control chronic diseases: If you already have chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, you should strictly follow the doctor's instructions, standardize medication, and have regular check-ups.
Combination of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine: On the basis of Western medicine treatment, the conditioning methods of traditional Chinese medicine, such as traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, etc., can be appropriately used to achieve the effect of treating both the symptoms and the root causes.
It is important to note that a heart attack does not happen overnight. It is the result of the long-term action of a variety of factors. Every choice in life can affect our heart health.
Do you opt for greasy fast food, or light home-cooked food? Do you choose the elevator, or walk? Do you stay up late and work overtime, or do you have a regular schedule? These seemingly insignificant everyday decisions are actually quietly affecting our hearts.
A heart attack is like a silent war, and our bodies are the battlefield of this war. The enemy is gathering momentum in the shadows, and we are often unaware. But as long as we are willing to listen to the "voice" of the body and remain vigilant, it is possible to preemptively strike before the enemy attacks.
Health should not be the goal of our life, but the foundation of our pursuit of a better life. Let us pay attention to heart health, listen to the "voice" of the body, and use scientific attitudes and methods to build a solid line of defense for our own life safety. After all, you only have one life, and we don't have a right to take it lightly.
What do you have to say about this? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section!