EHAC Community Education:

Section 4: Understand Risk Factors & Atypical Symptoms

EHAC Risk Factors and Atypical Presentations

There are certain risk factors that can cause someone to have a heart attack:

A family history of cardiovascular disease
High blood pressure
Overweight or obese
Sedentary lifestyle
Using tobacco products
Metabolic disease, diabetes or other illnesses
For women it can also include birth control pills, a history of pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes or having a low birthweight baby

In an atypical presentation, the signs and symptoms are different. How? The patient may not complain about pain or pressure in the chest. Be alert for the following:

A sharp pain in the back or shoulder blade
Pain that spreads above the jawbone or into the lower body
Difficult or labored breathing

Pay attention to the subtle clues your body is sharing. Monitor your blood pressure and speak with your doctor about any changes. Early care matters!