Heart Attack Symptoms

Knowing the Symptoms Could Save Your Life

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. The main symptom is chest pain but often women and men have slightly different symptoms. Sometimes women only feel upset stomach, dizziness and weakness and may not feel other, more common symptoms that men have, such as chest pain, upper body discomfort and shortness of breath.

The important thing to remember is not to second guess the symptoms. Once you feel symptoms, every minute that you wait to get help can decrease your chances for survival or full recovery from a heart attack.

If you are experiencing any or all of the following symptoms, call 911 immediately!

• Chest pain, tightness or tenderness

• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body

• Shortness of breath

• Nausea or vomiting (more so in women)

• Back or jaw pain

• Cold sweat

• Dizziness (more so in women)

• Weakness (more so in women)

Chest pain or 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 can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain that’s sharp or dull.   

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.    

Other signs: 

may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, general upset stomach, dizziness or lightheadedness.