Is It A Heart Attack?
Heart attack symptoms vary among individuals, and even a person who has had a previous heart attack may have different symptoms in a subsequent heart attack.
Knowing the symptoms of heart attack can literally be the difference between life or death.
Although chest pain or pressure is the most common symptom of a heart attack, heart attack victims may experience a diversity of symptoms that include:
- pain, fullness, and/or squeezing sensation of the chest;
- jaw pain, toothache, headache;
- shortness of breath;
- nausea, vomiting, and/or general epigastric (upper middle abdomen) discomfort;
- sweating;
- heartburn and/or indigestion;
- arm pain (more commonly the left arm, but may be either arm);
- upper back pain;
- general malaise (vague feeling of illness); and
- no symptoms (approximately one quarter of all heart attacks are silent, without chest pain or new symptoms and silent heart attacks are especially common among patients with diabetes mellitus)
If you experience any of these signs or symptoms:
- Do not wait to call for help. Dial 9-1-1, make sure to follow the operator’s instructions and get to a hospital right away.
- Do not drive yourself or have someone drive you to the hospital unless you have no other choice.
- Try to stay as calm as possible and take deep, slow breaths while you wait for the emergency responders.
References:
MedicineNet.com – Heart Attack Symptoms and Early Warning Signs