Warning Signs of Heart Attack Call 911 if you notice the sudden appearance of any of these symptoms:
- Chest discomfort. Most often discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel 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 stomach.
- Shortness of breath. May occur with or without chest discomfort and can occur before chest discomfort.
- Other signs. These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
Women may experience a heart attack much differently. While they may have some of the above symptoms, they may not - and they often have other symptoms that men don't report. A woman may have all or some of the following:
- Chest discomfort, uncomfortable pressure, tightness, squeezing, and/or fullness. It may last for a few solid minutes or come and go.
- Crushing chest pain
- Pressure that spreads to jaw, neck, upper back, shoulders or arms.
- Dizziness or nausea and vomiting
- Stomach or abdominal pain that may feel like indigestion
- Shortness of breath / difficult breathing
- Unexplained anxiety, fatigue or weakness - especially when active
- Clammy sweating
- Heart flutters
- Pale skin
Modifiable behaviors are those risk factors that you can control, improve and/or treat:
- Arterial disease
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Lack of physical activity
- Poor diet
- Smoking
- Unhealthy weight
Risk factors that you cannot control include:
- Age
- Family history
- Gender
- Prior attack or other heart events
For more information