Heart disease claimed millions of lives in 2023, with heart attacks and strokes being major contributors. Recognizing key warning signs like chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and upper body pain is crucial for early intervention. Adopting heart-healthy diets such as DASH and Mediterranean, which emphasize fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, can significantly lower the risk of heart disease.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death globally, claiming 17.9 million lives in 2023, with 85% of these deaths attributed to heart attacks and strokes. Recognizing the warning signs of a heart attack can be life-saving, as early intervention is critical. Here are the 5 warning signs of a heart attack you should not ignore. It is important to get help immediately, as some heart attacks are sudden and intense. Chest discomfort

Chest discomfort is a common symptom of a heart attack. Most of those who have a heart attack experience discomfort in the center of the chest. This discomfort can last more than a few minutes or may come and go, and then return. It is important to see if this discomfort feels like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain. If such signs appear, seek immediate medical attention. Shortness of breathDifficulty in breathing is a crucial sign of a heart attack. This often accompanies chest discomfort but can also occur independently. It may feel like you can’t catch your breath, even at rest. This sign should never be dismissed and requires urgent medical attention, especially when paired with other signs.Discomfort in the upper body The discomfort can radiate beyond the chest to other areas of the upper body. These include pain or discomfort in the arms (one or both), back, neck, jaw, and stomach. This pain may feel like aching or heaviness and can occur suddenly or gradually. People tend to dismiss it as unrelated; however, it could be a crucial warning sign before a heart attack occurs. Cold sweats

Breaking out in a cold sweat without any physical exertion or high temperature is a red flag. It’s essential to recognize that sweating is a physiological stress response, and during a heart attack, the body triggers a ‘fight or flight’ response. This sign, along with other symptoms, warrants immediate medical care.Feeling lightheadedLightheadedness is one of the warning signs of a heart attack. Unexplained fatigue, weakness, or dizziness should not be ignored. Women are more likely to experience extreme tiredness. If you feel unusually faint or exhausted, especially with other symptoms, seek immediate help.Now, let’s take a look at the world-class diets you can follow for better heart health.

DASH DietThe DASH diet, also called the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, is an eating plan that focuses on heart health. Multiple studies have found that this diet improves heart health and also lowers the risk of heart failure and reduces blood pressure. This diet includes eating fresh fruits and vegetables, and choosing lean proteins, low-fat dairy, beans, nuts, and vegetable oils, and also limiting sweets and foods high in saturated fats.

Mediterranean DietA Mediterranean-style diet is recognized as one of the best diets in the world. It focuses on eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, fish, and olive oil while limiting red meat and processed foods. It also includes beans, legumes, along with low-fat or fat-free dairy products, fish, and poultry. This diet can significantly lower the risk of heart disease.