Heart Attack Symptoms
IF YOU THINK YOU ARE HAVING A HEART ATTACK, CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY OR GET TO THE CLOSEST EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
- Chest discomfort. 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 commonly feels like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
- Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or abdomen.
- Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
- Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. Sometimes a person suffering a heart attack may pass out during an episode of chest discomfort.
Heart attack symptoms can be different (less pronounced) in women and include:
- Chest discomfort. 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 commonly feels like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
- Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or abdomen.
- Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
- Other signs may be the ONLY signs in women. These include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. Sometimes a person suffering a heart attack may pass out during an episode of chest discomfort. 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, and to perhaps not have very much chest pain.
It is extremely important to seek immediate medical care if you suspect you are having a heart attack. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, seek emergency help immediately - CALL 911 - do not wait!