Heart attacks are caused by a blockage in the supply of blood to the heart, and are usually caused by a blood clot.
The condition, which is also known as a myocardial infarction, is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment.
The most common signs of a heart attack include chest pain, feeling short of breath, and having an overwhelming sensation of anxiety.
But you could also be at risk of heart attack symptoms if you have swollen ankles, it’s been revealed.
Those at risk of heart attacks could find their ankles – or other parts of the body – become increasingly swollen, according to the British Heart Foundation’s Professor David Newby.
The swelling, which is also known as oedema, could be caused by the blood flow slowing down in the body.
When the heart isn’t working as well as it should be, blood flow slows down and backs up in the veins.
This could lead to a build-up of fluid in the body’s tissues. The fluid could cause swollen parts of the body, including in the ankles, legs, feet, or even stomach.
Swollen ankles should never be ignored, as they could be a sign of a number of medical conditions, warned Newby.
Oedema could be warning signs of kidney disease, malnutrition, liver disease, chronic lung disease, or even heart failure.
“This shouldn’t be ignored, especially if the ankles get really big, as it can be a marker of heart failure, but it is also very common and has lots of other causes,” said Newby.
“It could just as easily be from tablets you are taking – for example, blood pressure medication can lead to swollen ankles.”
The British Heart Foundation added: “If you’re getting swollen ankles, it’s worth making an appointment with your GP.”
The “classic” heart attack symptom is chest pain, said the charity.
“If you have chest pain and you feel extremely unwell, you should dial 999 and get an ambulance as soon as possible,” said Newby.
“If it’s a heart attack, it’s usually described as a heaviness, tightness or pressure in the chest. People will often describe it as ‘an elephant sat on my chest’ or ‘it felt like a tight band around my chest,’ that sort of constricting feeling.”
Not every heart attack patient experiences severe chest pain, the NHS warned. Some people mistake the pain for indigestion.
Making some dietary changes could help patients to avoid heart attacks, it added.
Avoid foods containing high amounts of saturated fats, including butter, hard cheese, and fatty cuts of meat.
Instead, swap these foods for those with small amounts of unsaturated fat, including oily fish, avocados and nuts, it said.
