What are the symptoms of a heart attack?

Barry Feldman, MD

Cardiology

When it comes to symptoms of a heart attack, many may seem like general, unimportant problems and easy to explain away. Maybe you’re coming down with a virus, or it’s just stress. But it could be something more serious.

“Knowing the signs of a heart attack and quickly calling 911 can save your life or the life of a loved one or someone nearby,” said cardiologist Barry Feldman, MD.

What are the symptoms of a heart attack?

The most common symptoms to watch for include:

• Chest pressure, squeezing, aching or burning
• Shortness of breath
• Back pain
• Nausea
• Anxiety
• Excessive fatigue
• Jaw pain
• Pain that travels down one or both arms
• Feeling of fullness
• A feeling of “impending doom”

“You could experience any or all of these symptoms” said Dr. Feldman. “When they start, they can be mild or come and go. Over time, the symptoms and pain will increase.”

Are heart attack symptoms different between men and women?

“Women and men can absolutely have heart attack symptoms that present very differently,” Dr. Feldman said symptoms. “This is important because women are more likely to ignore their symptoms, feel unheard or dismissed and have more serious complications or even die.”

Both men and women typically experience:

• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Anxiety
• Sweating
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea, vomiting or indigestion

Men more typically experience:

• Cold sweat, rapid or irregular heart beats
• Pain in the upper body including arms, shoulders and back
• Chest pain or discomfort, choking feeling

Women more typically experience:

• Unusual fatigue or sleep disturbance and a sense of impending doom
• Pain or weakness in the shoulder blades, neck, arm, jaw or all over the body
• Chest discomfort, pressure or burning

Don’t ignore the warning signs. Call 911 and seek emergency care immediately. When it comes to a potential heart attack, every second counts.