Heart Attack vs. Stroke Symptoms, Differences, and Similarities
Heart attack usually is caused by a clot that stops blood flow supplying
oxygen to an area of heart muscle, which results in heart muscle death. Stroke
or “brain attack”
is caused by a loss of blood supply to the brain (usually a blood clot) or by
hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding within the brain), which results in brain tissue death.
Both heart attack and stroke usually come on suddenly, produce similar symptoms,
can be disabling, and can be fatal.
The classic symptoms and warning signs of heart attack are different.
Classic
heart attack warning signs are chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath,
pain that radiates to the shoulders, back, arms, belly, jaw, or teeth,
sweating, fainting, and nausea and vomiting. Moreover, woman having a heart
attack may have additional symptoms like abdominal pain or discomfort,
dizziness, clammy skin, and moderate to severe fatigue.
The classic symptoms and warning signs that a person is having a stroke are
confusion or loss of consciousness, sudden severe headache, speech problems,
problems seeing out of one or both eyes, and numbness or weakness of only one
side of the body. Moreover, a woman having a stroke may have additional warning
symptom and signs like shortness of breath, disorientation, agitation,
behavioral changes, weakness, nausea, vomiting, seizures, and hiccups.
Recognition of stroke symptoms is vital for emergency treatment. The acronym “FAST” stands for recognition of Facial drooping, Arm weakness,
Speech difficulty, and a Time for action.
If you experience the symptoms heart attack or stroke (FAST) or see them develop in another person, then contact 911 immediately.