Symptoms of a Heart Attack
The National Heart Attack Alert Program notes these major symptoms of a heart attack:
- 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.
- Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. This can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
- Shortness of breath. This often comes along with chest discomfort. But it also can occur before chest discomfort.
- Other symptoms. These may include breaking out in a cold sweat or feeling nausea or light–headedness.
Warning signs every woman should know:
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Chest pressure or pain which may come and go
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Upper body pain (shoulders, arms, neck, back, jaw or teeth)
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Stomach pain which may feel like heartburn
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Light-headedness, dizziness or fainting
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Nausea or vomiting
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Sweating
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Shortness of breath
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Unusual or unexplained fatigue
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Anxiety
If you think you or someone you know is having a heart attack, you should call 911 immediately.
Source: Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov/HeartDisease/signs_symptoms.htm
