What are the warning signs of a heart attack?
According to the American Heart Association, the classic warning signs are:
- An uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, then disappears and returns
- Pain that radiates to the shoulders, stomach, back, arms, neck, or jaw
- Chest discomfort with dizziness, fainting, nausea, sweating, fluttering heartbeat, or shortness of breath
- Women may also have these warning signs, which are less common:
- Unusual chest pain, stomach, or abdominal pain, which may feel like indigestion or the need to belch
- Difficulty breathing and shortness of breath
- Unexplained weakness, fatigue, or anxiety
- Palpitations (an irregular heart beat), rapid heart beat, paleness, or breaking into a cold sweat
- Pain in the jaw or back
- Nausea or vomiting
If you or anyone you know is having these symptoms, call 911 or get to a hospital IMMEDIATELY.
Not all the symptoms show up in every attack. Don’t wait, because the heart muscle starts to die during an attack and every minute counts. Remember: it’s better to be safe than sorry.
