I'm very sorry to hear this.
I wish his family well.
I work in the heart industry, if there is such a thing. These types of heart attacks can come on so suddenly without any warning at all. It happens equally to skinny and fat people, both low and high cholesterol levels. It is one of the mysteries of the heart. We are currently exploring ways to predict this. We call it vulnerable plaque. I could go into details, but will spare everyone that.
There may have been some warning signs, but if there are they might have been subtle. However, warning signs are often ignored. President Carter just had two stents and it is rumoured that my company made them, although with HIPA laws no one knows for sure and if I knew, I couldn't tell you.
Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like pressure or just pain
Shortness of breath is another symptom. If you experience this doing activities that normally wouldn't cause a shortness of breath, you should consider it a nice warning to have it checked out. This may occur without chest pain or pressure and is a indication that you have a partially occluded artery.
Discomfort in other areas of the upper body can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
These are the most common symptoms. Please make sure you know these and check yourself in immediately if you have any. We should also be able to recognize these symptoms in others. Women's symptoms are different and a most people do not know that heart disease is the number one killer of women. As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.
Even if you're not sure it's a heart attack, have it checked out (tell a doctor about your symptoms). Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives — maybe your own. Don’t wait more than five minutes to call 9-1-1 or your emergency response number.