The heart is a vital organ in the human body. Heart disorders like coronary heart disease, hypertension, and heart attack (myocardial infarction) are rising due to faulty habits and diet. It is very important to be aware of the various signs and symptoms of heart disorders. Heart attack, medically known as myocardial infarction, is a major killer these days.

Myocardial infarction means injury to the heart muscle due to decreased blood supply to the heart. Blockage of arteries supplying blood to the heart is the main cause of heart attack. Often, the signs and symptoms of heart diseases are silent or very mild. Hypertension is known as a silent killer — it shows no obvious signs and symptoms. Ignorance about the symptoms of heart diseases could even lead to death. Some of the signs and symptoms of myocardial infarction are discussed here.

Chest pain is one of the most common symptoms of myocardial infarction. Pain in the central and left regions of the chest that radiates to the left arm is more indicative of heart attack. But not all chest pains are signs of heart attack. Chest pain may also be a sign of hyperacidity, peptic ulcer, or trauma instead of myocardial infarction. So, it is important for you to differentiate between chest pain due to other diseases from heart attack (myocardial infarction), and to be on the safe side, you should go for testing. ECG, chest X-ray, and endoscopy can well differentiate the cause of chest pain. Sometimes, chest discomfort, instead of chest pain, is a sign of heart attack or myocardial infarction.

Sweating is a very common symptom of myocardial infarction. Along with chest pain, this sign is an important indicator of heart attack. Otherwise sweating may have many non-cardiac causes. The skin gets wet by sweating and the fingers turn cool.

Fatigue is a very vague symptom. But if you have a history of heart disease and have not had any obvious exertion recently, fatigue is a sign of heart attack.

Dizziness is a symptom in which you experience lightheadedness and loss of consciousness. People who have had a heart attack have complained of dizziness or feeling low before the attack.