Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack

If you think you are having a heart attack, please all 911 immediately. Timely treatment is necessary for the best outcome after an attack. Knowing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack can save your life or the life of your loved ones.

Signs and symptoms include:

• Chest 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.  
• 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 with or without chest discomfort. 
• Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness  

The most prominent symptom in women is chest pain or discomfort. However, women are somewhat more likely than men to have the other common symptoms particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.