When Dr William Wilson experienced a heart attack, he said to himself, “this can’t be happening to me.” The doctor, who suffered the life threatening condition at the age of 63 has urged not to ignore the common symptoms of heart attack.In a video, which went live 6 years ago, Dr Wilson shares how he experienced a heart attack. ‘It was chest discomfort and it wasn’t a sharp discomfort. It wasn’t like a knife or anything like that, it was just an uncomfortable, oppressive pressing discomfort,” he said as per a recent Daily Mail report.He also shared of experiencing a sudden wave of sweating.Apart from these classic signs of heart attack the doctor also shared an uncommon symptom.
Heart attack: The lesser known symptom we don’t know
‘It’s very common when people are having a heart attack, that they have to go to the bathroom really bad. It’s part of the whole nervous system thing with a heart attack that’s activated. And so sure enough I had to go to the bathroom at the gym,” he shared.When we think of heart attacks, we usually picture chest pain, arm numbness, or shortness of breath. But there’s one strange, often overlooked symptom that catches people off guard: the sudden urge to pee or even poop. It sounds unrelated, right? But it’s surprisingly common. During a heart attack, your body goes into full-on stress mode. The heart is struggling, oxygen is limited, and your nervous system kicks in hard—especially the part that controls automatic functions like digestion and bladder activity.In that intense moment, the body sometimes “lets go” of certain functions to focus on survival. It’s not glamorous, but some heart attack patients report rushing to the bathroom right before or during the episode, mistaking it for food poisoning or anxiety. It’s especially confusing because it doesn’t feel like a heart symptom at all.That’s exactly why this warning sign gets missed. If someone suddenly feels the urgent need to urinate or defecate, especially along with sweating, dizziness, or nausea, it’s time to take it seriously. It might not be a bad taco—it could be your heart in distress. And the sooner you act, the better the outcome.“I would like to state that having to go to the bathroom is not a common or expected symptom of a heart attack. Though some may experience nausea, diaphoresis, or a feeling of discomfort, having to defecate is not typically linked with cardiac symptoms. In a few cases, such as straining during bowel movement, there will be vagal response that lowers blood pressure and heart rate, which will worsen symptoms in patients with underlying cardiac disease. It is crucial to note more typical presentations of a heart attack like chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or pain radiating to the jaw or arm and get immediate medical attention instead of attributing symptoms due to gastrointestinal etiology,” explained Dr. S.S. Sibia- Cardiologist Director, Sibia Medical Center Ludhiana.Disclaimer: The information shared in this article is for general awareness and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. While certain individuals may report unusual symptoms during a heart attack, such as gastrointestinal urgency, these are not standard indicators. Always prioritize classic warning signs like chest pain, breathlessness, and dizziness. If you or someone else may be experiencing a heart attack, seek emergency medical help immediately. Consult a qualified healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
