Heart attack signs: Looking 'pale, gray and sweaty' could signal a heart attack is about to strike

A heart attack is a medical emergency that occurs when the supply of blood to the heart is blocked. The most well known symptom of heart attack is chest pain. However, it is not the only sign and may not happen for some people experiencing a heart attack, especially if they have other previous medical conditions.

Here are some lesser known signs that are a warning that a heart attack is about to strike:

According to health experts, prior to a heart attack, a person might look pale, gray and sweaty. They may also feel nauseous, or become short of breath. One might also feel very anxious and dizzy.

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Experts have found that men predominantly experience chest pain in case of a heart attack. However, women can commonly have additional symptoms such as feeling short of breath, sickness or experiencing pain in the neck and jaw.

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Certain health conditions, such as diabetes, can put you at a higher risk of a heart attack. Further, you may not experience any noticeable warning signs, which means you are more susceptible to a silent heart attack.

A person with type 2 diabetes suffering a heart attack may experience symptoms like mild heartburn or an odd chest pain. They may also feel lightheaded, break out in a cold sweat for no reason or experience pain in the jaw, neck or left arm. All these are warning signs associated with a heart attack.

Focusing on a healthy diet and lifestyle can go a long way in reducing your risk of a heart attack. Eat a healthy diet rich in nutritious foods for a healthy weight, as well as healthy cardiovascular and immune systems.

Eat plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables and fruits that are rich sources of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Along with reducing heart attack risk, a healthy diet can also distance other health complications from you, such as high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Even if you do not workout at the gym everyday, make sure you get some form of movement daily and do not keep sitting for long hours throughout most of the day. Generally, 30 to 60 minutes of activity daily is ideal. It need not be at one go. You can also engage in short brisk walk sessions and do some vigorous household chores. The key is to keep moving.