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Signs of a Heart Attack
Posted: Feb. 1, 2007
The warning signs of a heart attack can include:
- Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back. The discomfort can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. Heart attack pain can sometimes feel like indigestion or heartburn.
- Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Can include pain, discomfort, or numbness in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
- Shortness of breath. Often comes along with chest discomfort. But it also can occur before chest discomfort.
- Other symptoms: Breaking out in a cold sweat, having nausea and vomiting or feeling lightheaded or dizzy.
Signs and symptoms vary from person to person. In fact, if you have a second heart attack, your symptoms may not be the same as the first heart attack. Some people have no symptoms. This is called a "silent" heart attack.
The symptoms of angina – chest pain due to a lack of oxygen to the heart – can be similar to those of a heart attack. If you have angina and notice a change or a worsening of your symptoms, talk with your doctor right away.
Know the warning signs of a heart attack so you can act fast to get treatment. Many heart attack victims wait two hours or more after their symptoms begin before they seek medical help. This delay can result in death or lasting heart damage.
If you think you may be having a heart attack, or if your angina pain does not go away as usual when you take your angina medicine as directed, call 911 for help. You can begin to receive life-saving treatment in the ambulance on the way to an emergency room.
Source: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
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