Heart Attack Warning Signs

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense - the "movie heart attack," where no one doubts what's happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:

• 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, shoulder, 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   

Warning signs for women having heart attacks can occur as much as six months before the actual heart attack.  Symptoms of female heart attack can sneak up slowly or be mistaken for something less serious.  Women are often slower to seek medical attention during heart attack, a delay that can be the difference between life and death.

The most common subtle warning signs of a heart attack for women are:

• Unusual and unexplained fatigue which is often severe
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Nausea and cold sweat
• Breathlessness
• Indigestion
• Anxiety or a sense that something is wrong or an impending sense of doom

If any of these symptoms occur suddenly, call 911! The faster you get treatment the greater your chances are for a full recovery.

For additional information on Chest Pain / Heart Attack please visit our Health Library.