Symptom 14: Abdominal Pain: The Subtle Red Flag
Abdominal pain, while usually associated with digestive issues, can also be a sign of a heart attack. It’s often a subtle symptom, overlooked or dismissed as heartburn, gastritis, or stomach ulcers. However, in the context of a heart attack, this seemingly unrelated symptom can be a critical red flag.
A heart attack occurs when there’s a blockage in the coronary arteries, limiting the flow of blood to the heart muscle. This can result in various symptoms, and while chest pain is the most common, the pain can also radiate or present in other areas like the abdomen.
The pain typically feels like a pressure or squeezing sensation, and it might come and go or persist. It’s important to understand that the heart doesn’t perceive pain the same way the skin or muscles do. So the pain from a heart attack can be felt in different areas, including the abdominal region.
Abdominal pain due to a heart attack can often mimic gastrointestinal issues, leading to misinterpretation. This can be especially true for women, as they are more likely to experience non-classical symptoms. Hence, any unusual abdominal discomfort, especially if it is coupled with other symptoms like breathlessness or lightheadedness, warrants close attention. (14)
