Emergency Department

Heart attack symptoms 

Heart attacks can be sudden and intense. But they can also develop and start out as mild pain or discomfort. Not everyone has typical heart attack symptoms. So it's important to learn all the ways a heart attack might make you feel—and to call 911 right away if you suspect a heart attack. Fast action could save your life or someone else's.

CHEST DISCOMFORT

Chest discomfort is the most common heart attack symptom in men and women. It may feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness, pain, or like heartburn or indigestion. It usually lasts more than a few minutes. It may go away and then come back. The feeling may be severe, or it may be mild.

UPPER BODY DISCOMFORT

Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, a shoulder, the neck, the jaw or the stomach (above the belly button) can signal a heart attack. Women are somewhat more likely than men to experience back or jaw pain during a heart attack.

SWEATING

A heart attack can cause cold sweats.

NAUSEA OR VOMITING

Women are more likely than men to experience unexplained nausea or vomiting during a heart attack.

SHORTNESS OF BREATH

Shortness of breath can come on suddenly and can happen while you're resting. It may be your only heart attack symptom. Women are more likely to experience shortness of breath during a heart attack than men are.

LIGHT-HEADEDNESS OR DIZZINESS

When you're having a heart attack, you might suddenly feel dizzy or light-headed.

FATIGUE

Feeling unusually tired for no reason can be a symptom of a heart attack. Sometimes this fatigue lasts for days. Women are more likely than men to experience fatigue as a heart attack symptom.

Being aware of the symptoms of a heart attack is important. So is knowing about the things that put you at risk.

LEARN YOUR HEART ATTACK RISK FACTORS

Sources: American Heart Association; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute