Moderate to severe pain or discomfort in the chest usually occurs on the left side or in the center of the chest, with the pain persisting for several minutes; the pain may also recede and then return. During a heart attack, you may feel pain, pressure, a squeezing sensation or a feeling of fullness in your chest. Chest pains may spread to other parts of the body, including the neck, shoulders, back, jaw, teeth, and abdomen. [6] X Trustworthy Source National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Research and education center within the National Institutes of Health Go to source [7] X Research source
Shortness of breath. Some unexplained difficulty with breathing can occur before or simultaneously with chest pain, but may also be the only sign you are having a heart attack. Panting for breath or the need to take long, deep breaths may be warning signs that you are having a heart attack. [9] X Research source Feeling sick to your stomach. Stomach pains, nausea, and vomiting sometimes accompany a heart attack, and can be mistaken for the flu. [10] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School’s Educational Site for the Public Go to source Dizziness or lightheadedness. A feeling that the world is moving or spinning, or that you might faint (or do faint), can be warning signs of a heart attack. [11] X Research source Anxiety. You may feel anxious, have a sudden panic attack, or experience unexplained feelings of impending doom. [12] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Women may experience chest pain that does not conform to what is perceived as the sudden, crushing pain of a heart attack. This pain may appear and recede, begin slowly and increase in severity over time, ease with rest and increase during physical exertion. Pain in the jaw, neck or back are common signs of a heart attack, particularly for women. Pain in the upper abdomen, cold sweats, nausea, and vomiting are more common in women than men. These signs can be misinterpreted as pointing to heartburn, indigestion or the flu. Breaking out in cold, nervous sweat is a common symptom in women. Usually, this will feel more like stress or anxiety, rather than normal sweating following exercise or other physical activities. Anxiety, unexplained panic attacks and a sense of impending doom are more common symptoms for women than men. Sudden, unusual or unexplained fatigue, weakness and lack of energy are common signs of a heart attack in women. These symptoms can last a short period of time or persist for several days. Shortness of breath, lightheadedness and fainting. [13] X Research source [14] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Women may experience chest pain that does not conform to what is perceived as the sudden, crushing pain of a heart attack. This pain may appear and recede, begin slowly and increase in severity over time, ease with rest and increase during physical exertion. Pain in the jaw, neck or back are common signs of a heart attack, particularly for women. Pain in the upper abdomen, cold sweats, nausea, and vomiting are more common in women than men. These signs can be misinterpreted as pointing to heartburn, indigestion or the flu. Breaking out in cold, nervous sweat is a common symptom in women. Usually, this will feel more like stress or anxiety, rather than normal sweating following exercise or other physical activities. Anxiety, unexplained panic attacks and a sense of impending doom are more common symptoms for women than men. Sudden, unusual or unexplained fatigue, weakness and lack of energy are common signs of a heart attack in women. These symptoms can last a short period of time or persist for several days. Shortness of breath, lightheadedness and fainting. [13] X Research source [14] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Speed is critical. Around 60% of deaths from a heart attack occur within the first hour. On the other hand, those that reach a hospital within the first hour and a half have a higher chance of survival than those who arrive later. [15] X Research source [16] X Research source Many people mistake the signs of a heart attack for other ailments, including heartburn, the flu, anxiety, and more. It is important that you don’t ignore or downplay symptoms that may point to a heart attack, but seek help immediately. Symptoms can be quite different from person to person, may appear in mild or severe forms, and may appear and recede and reappear over several hours. Some people can suffer a heart attack after showing only mild symptoms, or no symptoms at all. [17] X Trustworthy Source National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Research and education center within the National Institutes of Health Go to source [18] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
While it’s true that the symptoms could be harmless if you are indeed suffering a heart attack your life depends on getting medical attention as quickly as possible. Don’t be afraid of being embarrassed or wasting the doctors’ or paramedics’ time – they will understand. Emergency medical personnel can begin treatment as soon as they arrive, so calling for emergency assistance is the fastest way to get help during a heart attack. Don’t drive yourself to the hospital. If medical personnel can’t reach you in good time, or if there are no other emergency options, have a family member, friend or neighbor drive you to the closest emergency room. [20] X Trustworthy Source National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Research and education center within the National Institutes of Health Go to source
If you’re on the road, stop the car and flag down a passing motorist, or call 9-1-1 and wait if you are somewhere where paramedics can quickly reach you. If you’re on an airplane, notify a flight attendant immediately. Commercial airlines carry medication on board that may be helpful, and the flight attendant can also find out if there’s a doctor on the plane and perform CPR if necessary. Pilots are also required to detour to the nearest airport if a passenger is having a heart attack.
Aspirin may worsen some conditions, however, so ask your doctor today whether this is an appropriate course of action. [22] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source [23] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source [24] X Research source
There is a good chance you will be prescribed medication to reduce blood clotting. You will most likely take this medication for the rest of your life. [25] X Trustworthy Source American Heart Association Leading nonprofit that funds medical research and public education Go to source
A supervised physical recovery program, renewed social connections with family, friends and co-workers, and professional psychological help are some ways in which survivors can return to normal life after a heart attack. [26] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Smoking. If you smoke, there is almost twice the chance that you will have a heart attack. [28] X Research source High cholesterol. An unhealthy cholesterol level is one of the most important contributors to a heart attack and other heart complications. Cholesterol can be especially dangerous when it occurs in conjunction with high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking. [29] X Trustworthy Source American Heart Association Leading nonprofit that funds medical research and public education Go to source Diabetes, particularly if not controlled properly, can increase the chance of a heart attack. [30] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Obesity. Being overweight can raise your cholesterol and blood pressure levels, and lead to heart complications. Additionally, obesity can lead to diabetes, another factor that puts you at risk of a second heart attack. [31] X Trustworthy Source American Heart Association Leading nonprofit that funds medical research and public education Go to source
Reduce your consumption of saturated and trans fats. Aim to avoid foods that contain partially hydrogenated oils. Lower your cholesterol. This can be accomplished through diet, regular exercise or a cholesterol medication as prescribed by your doctor. A good way to lower your cholesterol is to eat oily fish, which contain the omega-3 fatty acid. Cut down on alcohol consumption. Only drink the recommended daily amount of alcohol, and avoid binge drinking. Reduce your weight. A healthy body mass index is between 18. 5 and 24. 9. Exercise. Consult with your doctor on how you can start an exercise program. A supervised cardiovascular exercise program is ideal but not necessary. With your doctor’s advice you can work out a program of cardiovascular exercise (e. g. , walking, swimming) based on your current level of fitness and focused on reasonable, achievable targets over time (e. g. , walk around the block without getting “short-of-breath”). Stop smoking. Quitting smoking immediately can reduce your risk of heart attack by half. [32] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source [33] X Trustworthy Source University of Rochester Medical Center Leading academic medical center in the U. S. focused on clinical care and research Go to source
