Would you know the signs of a heart attack?

We all know the classic warning sign is chest pain – but what about the more subtle symptoms? 

This week (29 April – 6 May) is National Heart Week 2018 so we’ve been brushing up. 

It turns out not everyone suffers chest pain. Some people also report pain in the neck, jaw, back or shoulders, a choking feeling in the throat or a heavy feeling in the arms.  

Other lesser-known symptoms include suddenly feeling short of breath, feeling nauseated, breaking out in a cold sweat, experiencing dizziness or light-headedness and even vomiting and gastrointestinal symptoms. 

You might have just one of these symptoms too or a combination. The Heart Foundation also warns they can vary in their severity or suddenness – so you may not suddenly be gripped by chest pains like in the movies. 

If you experience any of these warning signs for 10 minutes, or if they are severe or get steadily worse, call triple Zero (000) for an ambulance. 

Worryingly, women are more likely to think that these warning signs don’t have anything to do with their heart. 

But with one Australian suffering a heart attack every 10 minutes, nearly half of them women, knowing what to look out for – and taking action – could save your life. 

Find more information about heart attack symptoms here

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A special thanks to our contributors

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Caroline Egan

DCM Media, agedcare101

Caroline has a wealth of experience writing within the retirement and aged care sector and is a contributing journalist for the Villages.com.au and agedcare101 blog and accompanying newsletters.

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Ian Horswill

Journalist

Ian is a journalist, writer and sub-editor for the aged care sector, working at The DCM Group. He writes for The Weekly Source, agedcare101, villages.com.au and the DCM Institute fortnightly newsletter Friday. Ian is in daily contact with CEOs of retirement living, land lease and the aged care operations and makes a new contact every week. He investigates media releases, LinkedIn and Facebook for a good source for ideas for stories.

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Lauren Broomham

Retirement and Aged Care Journalist

Lauren is a journalist for villages.com.au, agedcare101 and The Donaldson Sisters. Growing up in a big family in small town communities, she has always had a love for the written word, joining her local library at the age of six months. With over eight years' experience in writing and editing, she is a keen follower of news and current affairs with a nose for a good story.

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Jill Donaldson

Physiotherapist

Jill has been practicing as a clinical physiotherapist for 30 years. For the last 13 years she has worked solely in the Aged Care sector in more than 50 metropolitan and regional facilities. Jill has also toured care facilities in the US and Africa and is a passionate advocate for both the residents in aged care and the staff who care for them. She researches and writes for DCM Media.

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Chris Baynes

DCM Media, agedcare101

Chris has been a journalist and publisher in the retirement village and aged care sectors for 11 years. He has visited over 250 retirement villages and 50 aged care facilities both within Australia and internationally. Chris is a regular speaker at industry conferences plus is a frequent radio commentator.

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Annie Donaldson

Nurse and Carer

Annie has a long career in both nursing and the media. She has planned and co-ordinated the medical support from both international TV productions and major stadium events. In recent years she has been a primary family carer plus involved in structured carer support.