Heart attack: Smelling this unusual odour could be an early warning sign

Heart attack results when a blood clot completely obstructs a coronary artery supplying blood to the heart muscle and the heart muscle dies. The blood clot that causes the heart attack usually forms at the site of rupture of an atherosclerotic, cholesterol plaque on the inner wall of a coronary artery. The risk factors for a heart attack include elevated cholesterol levels, increased blood pressure, tobacco use, diabetes and a family history of heart attacks at an early age.

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Heart attack most often occur as a result of ischemic heart disease also known as coronary heart disease or coronary artery disease.

Ischemic heart disease is a condition in which a waxy substance called plaque builds up inside the coronary arteries.

These arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart.

Excessive sweating could be an early warning sign of a heart attack, according to the British Heart Foundation.

While it’s normal to feel sweaty during a hot day, or after intense exercise, sweating for no obvious reason could be a heart attack. You’re more at risk of a myocardial infarction if your excessive sweating is accompanied by the characteristic chest pain.

British Heart Foundation said: “Heart attack symptoms vary from one person to another.

“It’s possible to have a heart attack without experiencing ‘classic’ chest pain.”

Sweating when a person doesn’t have a fever and are not exerting yourself or in a hot environment, especially if accompanied by other symptoms such as light headiness, shortness of breath, nausea or chest pain may be a symptom of a heart attack and should not be ignored.

Most people with heart attacks experience some sort of chest pain or discomfort. However, it’s important to understand that chest pains don’t occur in every heart attack. Chest pain is a common sign of a heart attack. People have described this sensation as feeling like an elephant is standing on their chest.

The pain can also be felt in either the shoulder, legs or arms.

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The difference between heart disease and heart attacks

Heart failure and heart attack are both forms of heart disease. Most heart attacks happen suddenly when one of the arteries leading to the heart becomes blocked and cuts off the blood flow. Without oxygen, the heart muscles start to die. Heart failure, on the other hand, usually develops gradually.

The NHS advises how to prevent a heart attack and said: “Being overweight forces your heart to work harder to pump blood around your body, which can raise your blood pressure. Use the BMI healthy weight calculator to find out if you are a healthy weight for your height.

“If you do need to lose weight, remember that losing just a few kilos will make a positive difference to your blood pressure and health.

“Being active and doing regular exercise will lower your blood pressure by keeping your heart and blood vessels in good condition.

“Regular exercise can also help you lose weight, which will help to lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart attacks.”

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