80% of people report same 5 symptoms a month before a heart attack

Heart attacks are commonly thought to strike out of the blue but this is rarely the case. Barring a complication you didn’t know about, there are many red flags that can alert you along the way. This does not only apply to poor lifestyle decisions. Symptoms can also strike ahead of time.Research presented at an American Heart Association annual meeting in Dallas provides an insight into the common symptoms that precede a heart attack in men.The study highlighted common symptoms that preceded heart attacks in 567 men aged 35 to 65 years, based on retrospective chart review.Almost 80 percent of the specified symptoms occurred between four weeks and one hour before the sudden cardiac arrest.Of those who had symptoms, 56 percent had chest pain; 13 percent, shortness of breath; four percent, dizziness, fainting or heart palpitations.READ MORE: Man, 33, reduces high cholesterol levels by more than 50% in weeks through ‘altered’ diet Heart attack: Shortness of breath are among the symptoms people report a month before the event (Image: Getty Images)The research also revealed 53 percent had symptoms prior to the cardiac arrest.Study limitationsAn accompanying editorial published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine highlights some important limitations about how the study is being interpreted.News reports of the findings suggest that any middle-aged man with chest pain or shortness of breath may be having a heart attack.Thus, while the overall message from the investigators (seek medical care if you [middle-aged man] are having new or troubling symptoms) may have been useful, the news reports of the study were plagued by the lack of a denominator, indicating the prevalence of these symptoms amongst the population of interest, the editorial notes.DON’T MISSPancreatic cancer: Early signs include acholic stools [ADVICE]Woman finds lungs full of blood clots after morning sickness [INSIGHT]Popular dry shampoos recalled over fears of cancer chemical [LATEST] Study findings: 53 percent of respondents went into cardiac arrest (Image: Getty Images) Heart attack: Main heart attack symptoms to spot (Image: Getty Images)”In hospital, treatment for a heart attack depends on how serious it is,” explains the NHS.The two main treatments are:Using medicines to dissolve blood clotsSurgery to help restore blood to the heart.Important reminderThe British Heart Foundation says: “People often dismiss that they’re having a heart attack and will delay seeking medical attention.”If you’re with someone who’s experiencing heart attack symptoms but they’re putting off or refusing to call an ambulance, it’s really important that you call one for them.”