Nausea during a heart attack can be an important but easily overlooked sign. According to Dr Vivek Gupta, Senior Interventional Cardiologist, Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi (India), nausea and vomiting are not just symptoms of stomach problems but can also indicate a serious cardiovascular event, especially in the case of an inferior myocardial infarction. This is a type of heart attack that affects the lower part of the heart and can cause symptoms that are easily confused with digestive problems such as nausea or indigestion.
Why might nausea occur during a heart attack?
Nausea during a heart attack occurs due to the pain's effect on the nervous and digestive systems. The heart and stomach are closely connected via the vagus nerve, so when the heart is in trouble, pain signals can radiate to the abdomen, causing nausea. This often happens in cases of inferior myocardial infarction, when chest pain is not obvious and there are only symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.
Other signs to watch out for
In addition to nausea, there are a number of symptoms that are not always directly related to the heart that people may ignore, including:
Excessive sweating: Especially without chest pain.
Jaw pain: Often mistaken for dental problems, but can be a symptom of angina or a precursor to a heart attack.
Back pain: May not be accompanied by chest pain but is a warning sign.
Dyspnea: A feeling of being short of breath, especially for no apparent reason.
Unexplained fatigue: Feeling tired or weak suddenly, especially in women, can be a sign of heart disease.
Dizziness or lightheadedness: Feeling faint can also be a sign of a heart attack.
Diagnosis and treatment
Early recognition of symptoms and accurate diagnosis are crucial. A special blood test, called the troponin I test (troponin I HS test), can detect heart muscle damage by measuring the level of the protein troponin in the blood. This is a sensitive test that can help determine whether there is heart damage, thereby aiding in timely diagnosis and treatment.
Advice
If you experience any symptoms that could be related to a heart attack, don’t hesitate to seek immediate medical attention, Dr. Vivek Gupta stressed. While toothache or jaw discomfort may be minor, when combined with other symptoms such as nausea, excessive sweating, or back pain, it could be a sign of a heart problem that requires emergency treatment.
