Chest pain is the most common heart attack symptom, but, according to the Irish Heart Foundation, around 10 to 15 per cent of people may not experience any symptoms at all
Ian Craig Social Newsdesk Content Editor
06:00, 17 Dec 2025
If you or someone you know is suffering a heart attack, call 999 or 112 immediately (stock image)(Image: Getty Images)
Every three minutes someone in the UK dies of heart disease. According to the British Heart Foundation, coronary heart disease is the single biggest killer of both men and women worldwide, and is responsible for 480 deaths in the UK every day, or more than 170,000 per year.
It is also the most common cause of heart attacks. One doctor has said 90 per cent of heart attacks can be traced back to one morning habit – and it’s not food or stress.
Dr Sana Sadoxai, who has more than 42,000 followers on TikTok, where she regularly shares medical guidance, recently posted a video explaining how your morning routine could be increasing your risk of suffering a heart attack, reports the Mirror. “The real danger starts the moment you wake up and stay still,” she said.
“Most people go from bed to phone, to sitting, to rushing out, keeping the body in a low-movement, high-inflammation state. This one habit secretly accelerates insulin resistance, belly fat accumulation, high blood pressure, silent inflammation, (and) metabolic dysfunction, all of which dramatically increase the risk of early heart attacks, especially if you are overweight or obese.
“Just five to seven minutes of morning movement – brisk walking, stretching, breathing exercises – boosts circulation, activates metabolism, stabilises sugar levels, and protects your heart more than people realise. Your weight, your metabolism, and your heart are deeply connected, ignoring this morning habit is a silent threat. Changing it is lifesaving.
“If you’re struggling with obesity, stubborn belly fat, breathlessness, diabetes, or fatigue, these are early metabolic warning signs you should not ignore. Take control before it becomes a cardiac risk!!”
Responding to the clip, one TikTok user commented: “Basically getting up and rushing to work is killing us.”
Another chimed in: “I wake up, have a cup of tea, relax drinking it for 30 minutes, and then get ready for work. I think you give sound advice.”
According to the Irish Heart Foundation, a heart attack, also termed a myocardial infarction, occurs when blood supply to the heart becomes blocked.
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Chest pain is the most common heart attack symptom, encompassing sensations of pressure, heaviness, tightness, or squeezing, according to the NHS, though additional warning signs include:
Pain in the jaw, back, neck or armsShortness of breathSweatingNauseaLight-headednessLoss of consciousnessWeaknessTiredness
However, the Irish Heart Foundation says around 10 to 15 per cent of people suffering a heart attack may not experience any symptoms at all. The organisation said: “This is more common in older people, especially women and those with diabetes. Sometimes these people just feel weak, tired or short of breath. Some elderly patients may simply become confused.”
Should someone experience a heart attack, it is important to dial 999, or 112, straight away to request an ambulance. Whilst awaiting emergency services, a 300mg aspirin tablet might provide short-term assistance – provided the individual isn’t allergic to the medication – as it aids in enhancing blood circulation and thinning the blood.
Heart attack patients may receive medication to break down blood clots, or surgical intervention might prove necessary in certain circumstances. Methods to lower the risk of experiencing a heart attack include giving up smoking and shedding weight, as well as consuming a low-fat, high-fibre diet, which includes wholegrains and at least five portions of fruit and vegetables daily. The Irish Heart Foundation also advises adults to exercise for at least 30 minutes five days a week.