Symptoms of a heart attack can include chest pain or discomfort, difficulty breathing and dizziness. It is important to note that not everyone has the same symptoms.
A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, results from a blockage in a coronary artery, which carries blood to the heart. This interruption in blood flow can create symptoms and damage the heart muscle.
In this article, we list the symptoms of a heart attack and discuss what to do when the symptoms begin.
In some people, heart attack symptoms may appear gradually and in others, they occur suddenly.
Not everyone will experience all the symptoms of a heart attack, and the symptoms can vary in intensity and duration. If a person has had a heart attack in the past, the symptoms may appear similarly or differently the next time.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), steps can include:
Chest pain or discomfort
Chest pain is a common symptom of heart attack.
During this phase of a heart attack, people may experience the following sensations in their chest:
- ache
- pressure
- sore
- Weight
Some people also say that they experience a feeling of tightness that may appear to be “being squeezed”.
Sometimes, these sensations can appear suddenly and intensely. This happens when the blocking occurs suddenly. If the block progresses slowly over time, the symptoms gradually appear. In such cases, people may confuse sensations with heartburn or indigestion.
Anyone who experiences symptoms that occur with effort and resolve with rest, even if they occur gradually, should always discuss them with a doctor, especially if they progress over time.
However, people should not wait to seek medical attention for chest pain. They should seek medical treatment immediately, especially if other signs of a heart attack also occur.
Pain or discomfort in other areas
The sensations that a person may experience in the chest can spread or radiate to other areas of the body, including:
- come back
- jaw
- neck
- stomach
- arm or shoulder
Shortness of breathe
A person may experience breathing difficulties before or during a heart attack.
Shortness of breath can occur due to increased pressure in the heart or as a symptom of blocked blood vessels.
Dizziness or vertigo
Some people may experience fainting, dizziness or dizziness.
This may be due to poor blood circulation or it may be a direct result of the symptoms of the blockage.
Cold sweats
Experiencing cold or wet sweats can also occur during heart attacks.
Cold sweats can be similar to the sweats that can occur during a flu or other viral illness.
Individuals should take note of other symptoms that occur along with cold sweats. If they are similar to a heart attack, the person should seek urgent medical attention.
Stomach symptoms
Some people experience gastrointestinal symptoms when they are having a heart attack. People can have:
These stomach symptoms can cause people to mistake a heart attack for heartburn.
Learn more about the differences between heart attack and heartburn here.
Fatigue
Unexplained fatigue is another potential symptom of a heart attack or an impending heart attack.
People often report that they feel more tired than normal, as the blocks can be progressive.
Anxiety
During a heart attack, people may also experience a feeling of panic or anxiety. People can confuse panic attacks with heart attacks, given the similarity of symptoms.
Understand the difference between a panic attack and a heart attack here.
Sex and gender exist in spectra. This article will use the terms “male”, “female” or both to refer to the sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.
The symptoms and stages of a heart attack can present differently in women and in men.
Some sources say that women are less likely to experience a feeling of pressure in the chest, for example. Women may not even experience any chest pain.
Other sources explain that women may be more likely to experience the following symptoms:
- shortness of breathe
- nausea and vomit
- tiredness
- pain, especially in the back, shoulders, or jaw
However, according to the British Heart Foundation, women can also ignore symptoms and not seek help so quickly.
Anyone who is showing possible symptoms of a heart attack or is unsure whether they are showing symptoms should seek emergency treatment immediately.
Find out more about heart attack symptoms in women here.
It is vital that people seek emergency medical treatment at the first signs of a heart attack. Untreated heart attacks can lead to serious complications or death.
With treatment, however, most people recover from a heart attack.
It is important to call 911 immediately if someone is showing symptoms of a heart attack. The AHA reports that calling an ambulance allows treatment to begin up to 60 minutes earlier than if people arrived at the hospital by car.
People with heart attack symptoms should not try to drive alone.
Waiting for emergency medical care
If a doctor has previously prescribed a heart medicine for heart problems, the person should make sure that he has taken that medicine. Examples of such heart medications include beta-blockers and nitroglycerin.
Others may take an aspirin tablet, which can make the blood more fluid. However, a person should only take aspirin if a doctor or rescuer has recommended it.
Urgent treatment is necessary to reduce the risk of serious damage to heart tissue.
Immediate treatment
Immediate treatment at the hospital, even in the absence of a diagnosis, can include:
- aspirin, to prevent further blood clotting
- nitroglycerin, to help relax the arteries to improve blood flow
- oxygen therapy, to increase the amount of oxygen in a person’s body
- morphine, to relieve symptoms
- blood thinning medicine to help dissolve the blockage in the artery
After a person is diagnosed with a heart attack, the doctor may prescribe medications to dissolve blood clots, perform surgery, or both.
Doctors can perform a procedure to aspirate the clot or place a metal tube called a stent to open the block. They are also likely to prescribe other drugs to reduce the risk of future heart attacks.
Surgery
Sometimes surgery may be necessary to improve blood flow to the heart. A surgeon can perform coronary angioplasty or bypass surgery.
Coronary angioplasty, which people also call percutaneous intervention, involves opening a coronary artery with a stent. Bypass surgery involves redirecting blood flow around a block.
The specific treatment may vary depending on the type of heart attack.
Find out more about treatment for the different types of heart attack here.
Recovery time may vary depending on the treatment and the severity of the heart attack.
Some people may return to work and other activities within 2 weeks, but others may need several months to recover. The recovery time also depends on whether the person has undergone a procedure, how the surgeon performed it and whether there were complications.
Most people recover from a heart attack and lead full and productive lives.
To improve their outlook, people should seek emergency medical treatment for heart attack symptoms. After recovery, they must follow their treatment plan and lead a heart-healthy lifestyle using preventive methods.
Individuals can take steps to keep their hearts healthy and reduce their risk of heart attack.
According to the AHA, ways to help prevent a heart attack can include:
There are many ways for a person to reduce or control stress. This can include meditation, yoga or relaxation techniques.
Improving cholesterol levels can also help prevent a heart attack.
Learn how to improve cholesterol levels here.
The person must also take any medications according to the prescription, both for heart problems and for others that increase the risk of heart attack. These conditions can include diabetes or hypertension.
Preventive strategies can be especially important for those who have already had a heart attack.
According to the AHA, approximately 20% of people 45 and older will have another heart attack 5 years after the first.
A heart attack can cause several symptoms, the best known of which is chest pain. Sweating, shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness and fatigue are among the other possible symptoms.
However, it is important to remember that not everyone will have each symptom, and the symptoms can vary in intensity and duration. Women, in particular, are less likely to develop certain heart attack symptoms.
Calling 911 is the most important thing a person can do when they have heart attack symptoms. Immediate medical attention improves the outlook for those who suffer a heart attack.
People who are anxious about the risk should talk to their doctor about techniques to help them control their symptoms and reduce the level of risk.