A heart attack happens when an artery that supplies blood and oxygen to your heart is blocked. Your chances of surviving a heart attack are much better if you get prompt treatment.
You can help yourself by knowing the warning signs of a heart attack and taking steps to prevent another one, such as taking your medicines as directed.
Chest Pain
Chest pain, also called discomfort or pressure, is the most common heart attack symptom. It may feel like a burning, squeezing or tightness that can be felt in the front of the chest and extend to the shoulders, arms, jaw or back. It can be brought on by physical exertion, excitement or emotional stress.
The pain can be sharp and sudden and last for several minutes. It can also come and go.
It’s important to call 911 or your local emergency number right away if you think you or someone else is having a heart attack. This can help reduce the damage to your heart and give you the best chance of surviving a heart attack. It’s also a good idea to have someone who can drive you to the hospital.
Shortness of Breath
During a heart attack, blood flow to the heart is blocked or drops significantly, which can damage or kill part of the heart muscle. This can cause the feeling of shortness of breath.
This symptom usually comes along with chest pain and discomfort, but it can also occur on its own. It can feel like squeezing or fullness in the chest and sometimes leads to pain in other parts of the upper body, such as the jaw or neck. It can also make you feel faint, weak, or lightheaded.
If you have any of these symptoms, call 911 right away. Early treatment can help prevent or limit the damage to your heart and other organs. The sooner a blocked artery is treated, the better your chances of a good outcome.
Nausea
While heart attack symptoms can vary widely and mimic other conditions, such as indigestion or fatigue, it is important to take any signs of heart problems seriously. It is even more important to seek medical help if the symptoms are milder, as the chances of survival improve the earlier a patient gets emergency treatment.
Some of these symptoms include chest pain that feels like pressure, squeezing or fullness, as well as pain in the jaw, arms, back and belly. Sweating that is more than normal for the person and that does not come from exercise or hot weather is also a symptom of a heart attack.
A healthcare provider will examine the patient’s blood pressure and oxygen levels, listen to the lungs and heart and ask about any other symptoms they are experiencing. A blood test that looks for a chemical marker, cardiac troponin, can diagnose a heart attack.
Discomfort in Other Areas of the Upper Body
Symptoms of heart attack can spread from the chest to other areas, especially in women and people with diabetes. They might feel pain in their back, shoulders, jaw or arms that feels like indigestion, nausea or the flu.
People can also experience a heart attack without any warning signs at all, which is known as a’silent heart attack’. When someone has a silent heart attack, doctors can detect it by taking a blood sample to measure levels of certain markers.
If you have symptoms of a heart attack, call triple zero (000) and seek medical attention immediately. The sooner you get to hospital, the more likely it is that doctors can treat you and reduce the damage from the heart attack. You may be given medication, such as aspirin, nitroglycerin or clot-busting drugs.
Lightheadedness
A heart attack causes your body to release chemicals that can make you feel lightheaded or dizzy. This can happen because your body doesn’t get enough oxygen because your arteries are blocked.
NIH-funded research has made it possible for many more people to survive heart attacks today, because treatment is more effective. But to make the most of these advances, you need to know what to look for.
Call 911 or your local emergency number, if you have a heart attack. Ask someone to drive you to the hospital or take a taxi, and try not to delay getting help. Every minute counts. And, even if you don’t have classic chest pain, you should still call for help right away. This could save your life or that of someone else.