What are the signs of a heart attack?

Would you know if a teammate was having a heart attack? That is a trick question because there are many symptoms and some people having a heart attack can have many symptoms, a few symptoms, or no symptoms.

The most common signs of a heart attack are:

• Chest pain or discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center or left side of the chest. The discomfort usually lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back. It can feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain. It also can feel like heartburn or indigestion. The feeling can be mild or severe.
• Upper body discomfort. You may feel pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, shoulders, neck, jaw, or upper part of the stomach (above the belly button).
• Shortness of breath. This may be your only symptom, or it may occur before or along with chest pain or discomfort. It can occur when you are resting or doing a little bit of physical activity.

However, pay attention to these other possible symptoms of a heart attack:

• Breaking out in a cold sweat
• Feeling unusually tired for no reason, sometimes for days (especially if you are a woman)
• Nausea (feeling sick to the stomach) and vomiting
• Light-headedness or sudden dizziness
• Any sudden, new symptoms or a change in the pattern of symptoms you already have (for example, if your symptoms become stronger or last longer than usual)

Quick Action Can Save Your Life: Call 9–1–1 

The signs and symptoms of a heart attack can develop suddenly. However, they also can develop slowly—sometimes within hours, days, or weeks of a heart attack.

Any time you think you might be having heart attack symptoms or a heart attack, don’t ignore it or feel embarrassed to call for help.

Call 9–1–1 for emergency medical care, even if you are not sure whether you’re having a heart attack. Here’s why:

• Acting fast can save your life.
• An ambulance is the best and safest way to get to the hospital. Emergency medical services (EMS) personnel can check how you are doing and start life-saving medicines and other treatments right away. People who arrive by ambulance often receive faster treatment at the hospital.
• The 9–1–1 operator or EMS technician can give you advice. You might be told to crush or chew an aspirin if you’re not allergic unless there is a medical reason for you not to take one. Aspirin taken during a heart attack can limit the damage to your heart and save your life.
• Every minute matters. Never delay calling 9–1–1 to take aspirin or do anything else you think might help.

To learn more on how to keep your heart healthy and American Heart Month go to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) website   www.nhlbi.nih.gov

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