How do the symptoms of a heart attack differ from those of a stroke?
Heart attack and stroke are similar in only one aspect: both diseases are caused by an occlusion of a supplying vessel, whereas stroke can also be caused by local bleeding. Apart from their often drastic effects on the patient’s life, the two diseases have little in common. In a heart attack, one or more coronary arteries become blocked, the main symptoms are chest pain and shortness of breath, and are often accompanied by vegetative (involuntary, physical) and psychological symptoms.
In the case of atypical heart attacks, the pain symptoms may be completely absent and the vegetative (body symptoms such as nausea and vomiting) may be the main symptom. The stroke is caused by a blockage or bleeding of a vessel supplying the brain. The symptoms can be extremely complex and depend largely on the localization of the event.
From movement disorders to sensitivity disorders, speech and vision disorders, the clinical picture can also manifest itself in vegetative problems or psychological abnormalities. With both diseases, if the respective symptomatology is correctly recognized, immediate action must be taken. There must be no hesitation in consulting the rescue service so that the fastest possible care can be guaranteed. In both diseases, the patient tries to reopen the occluded vessels as quickly as possible in order to keep cell damage in the area of care as low as possible.
