The World Health Organization reports ischaemic heart disease as the leading global cause of death, claiming 8.9 million lives in 2019. Many experience prodromal symptoms—often ignored—before a heart attack, according to research from The National Library of Medicine. These include chest pain, heaviness, palpitations, fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, anxiety, and more.
- Fatigue: Extreme tiredness from reduced blood flow due to narrowed arteries signals heart issues.
- Shortness of Breath: Insufficient oxygen to the lungs may indicate heart failure, per WebMD.
- Weakness: Sudden, unexplained weakness could be a warning to slow down and reassess lifestyle.
- Dizziness and Cold Sweats: Poor circulation causes these symptoms, which shouldn’t be ignored.
- Flu-like Symptoms: Many report cold-like symptoms days before a heart attack.
- Chest Pressure: Increasing pressure in the chest is a common precursor to an attack.
- Swollen Feet: Congestive heart failure can cause edema in legs and feet due to ineffective blood pumping.
