Heart Attack Symptoms
by Anna Hart
Filed under Heart Disease Symptoms
What are the signs of a heart attack? Do you know them? Suppose one of your colleagues at work began to experience one or more of the signs. Suppose a spouse or other loved one showed 3 signs of a heart attack. Suppose you began to have heart attack symptoms.
What are the signs of a heart attack? It is important to know them, and to know what to do when you see or feel them.
Signs of Heart Attack
Heart attacks sometimes happen suddenly and dramatically. In such cases, both the victim and those around know exactly what is happening.
Most heart attacks, however, are not dramatic. They begin slowly. The victim may feel mild pain or simply a vague discomfort. He or she may have no idea what is wrong. If they knew these signs of a heart attack, they could call for emergency help before it was too late.
So what are the signs of a heart attack?
1. Chest discomfort or pain: Most people who are experiencing a heart attack sense discomfort or pain in the center of the chest. The pain continues for more than a few minutes. Sometimes, the pain stops, and then returns. Some people describe this sign of heart attack as feeling like too much pressure, as though an elephant had stepped on the chest. Some say it is a squeezing feeling, much like a vice tightening around the chest. Still others say the chest feels full or hurts.
2. Shortness of breath: With this sign of heart attack, you may or may not have chest discomfort or pain.
3. Other discomfort or pain: An often misunderstood sign of heart attack is the pain or discomfort felt in other upper body parts. This might be pain or an uncomfortable feeling in one or both arms. The victim may complain of the back, neck, or jaw hurting. Even pain or discomfort in the stomach can be a sign of heart attack.
4. Other signs: In addition to the 3 signs of heart attack above, the heart attack victim may have other signs. There may be lightheadedness or nausea, with or without vomiting. The victim may break into a cold sweat.
Get Help Immediately!
What are the signs of a heart attack? Chest discomfort, with or without one or more of the other signs above. If you or someone you are with experiences these signs, get help immediately. Wait no longer than 5 minutes at most. Calling 9-1-1 is almost always better than trying to drive to a hospital.
Good advice! Symptoms can be different depending on the person. Sometimes you just need to take control of your own situation and persevere. Way to go – Cindy.
I disagree with some of the “symptoms” simply because I did have a heart attack. I suffered for one year with pain under my left breast, feeling as though my ribs would explode, very tired, and my legs ached to the point where I felt as though I’d fall to the ground. Also, I felt paint through my neck, a choking feeling. I saw four doctors ((NONE OF WHICH GAVE ME ANY HEART TESTS)) but I was told “you are depressed” because we can’t find anything wrong. I even had a mammogram because they thought it was my breast. Finally, during a holiday, I was sitting having dinner when suddenly my arms became very weak, fell to my side and ached like someone was squeezing them tightly. Went to the ER, they took an EKG, told me it was fine, said to go home and take Mylanta. The next evening I felt like an elephant was on my chest..suddently crushing me…and I began to cry hysterically and uncontrollably…my husband didn’t know what to do. But I didn’t call an ambulance or seek medical attention because they said I was depressed and couldn’t see anything wrong with me. So, I went back to work for two more days. Monday, I was working, Tuesday I was working when my arms begin to ache again and I felt nauseated. My stomache ached. Called the doc at 9 AM and didn’t get to see him until 4:50 PM. They gave me EIGHT (8) EKG’S before one of the nurses picked up one peak and they rushed me to the hospital “just to be safe.” After a blood test, they realized I DID HAVE A HEART ATTACK. I was in the hospital for 5 days, had an angiogram where they observed a blockage under my heart (( EKG’S DO NOT PICK UP BLOCKAGES AND CAN HAVE NORMAL RESULTS )). After being stabilized, I was moved to anothe hospital where I had a double by-pass, with the left side of my heart damaged.
SO MY MESSAGE TO ALL YOU LADIES IS THIS: DO NOT ALLOW ANY DOCTOR OR NURSE OR PERSON TO TELL YOU “IT’S ALL IN YOUR HEAD…YOU ARE DEPRESSED… AND THEY CAN’T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH YOU” !!! FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHTS…IT’S YOUR BODY..NOT THEIRS…AND YOU ARE THE PERSON WHO IS FEELING THE PAIN, THE SYMPTOMS…NOT THEM!!!!