Sweating heart attack

Sweating can indicate impending heart attack

Washington: Sweating could be a good indicator of heart attack, for a new study by researchers at the University of Illinois, Chicago, has found that perspiring while experiencing discomfort in chest, arm, neck or jaw, with little or no exertion, could signify the onset of a heart attack. "We can stop a heart attack during the process, but you have to get to the hospital first. The real push for improved survival is to get them there early," said Catherine Ryan, research assistant professor of medical surgical nursing. Time is of the essence during a heart attack, and doctors have urged people who experience common symptoms, like shortness of breath, cold sweats, nausea, lightheadedness, or discomfort in the chest, arm, neck or jaw, to get to a hospital as quickly as possible. But delay in seeking treatment is common, and worsens the outcome after a heart attack. Ryan sought to determine whether delay was related to the symptom cluster individuals experienced during a heart attack.

She asked the authors of 10 studies on the subject to send her their data. She studied 12 common symptoms: chest discomfort; shoulder, arm, or hand discomfort; neck or jaw discomfort; back discomfort; abdominal discomfort; indigestion; nausea and vomiting; shortness of breath; sweating; dizziness and light-headedness; weakness; and fatigue. The analysis showed that individuals with the shortest delays (a mean of 9.78 hours) had a greater probability of experiencing the largest number of symptoms. Individuals with the longest delays had moderate probability of experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath. Sweating may be a key variable in the symptom cluster prompting individuals to seek treatment, Ryan said.
-Nov 23, 2005