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Manhattan Cardiology
My blood pressure is normal, can I still have a heart attack?

Yes, a heart attack can occur with normal blood pressure. Although high blood pressure is one risk factor for heart attacks, it’s not the only one. Other factors like smoking, high cholesterol, a family history of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, inactivity, and stress may also raise the risk of heart attacks.

It’s more than blood pressure

A hypertensive crisis, often known as an abrupt rise in blood pressure, can occur in a person with normal blood pressure during a heart attack. Damage to blood vessels and other organs may result from this as a result of the body’s normal reaction to the stress of a heart attack.

As a result, it’s vital to utilize more than blood pressure readings to determine how healthy your heart is. It’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which includes obtaining regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, keeping a healthy weight, stopping smoking, managing stress, and visiting a doctor frequently to track other heart disease risk factors.

Pay attention to the warning signs

The warning indications of a heart attack, which can include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, pain or discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach, as well as cold sweats, are also vital to be aware of. Regardless of your blood pressure readings or other heart disease risk factors, it is critical to get medical assistance right away if you develop any of these symptoms. Early intervention can make a significant difference in the outcome of a heart attack.