If you or someone you love were having a heart attack, would you recognize the warning signs?
Someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds in the United States, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Knowing common symptoms of a heart attack can help prepare you for this situation.
Many people imagine a heart attack as a sudden, excruciating, intense episode, just like in the movies. Likewise, many think the top sign is radiating discomfort in the left arm.
However, most heart attacks aren’t that dramatic. They usually start slowly and subtly, with mild pain and discomfort.
Top 5 symptoms of a heart attack
The American Heart Association recommends calling 911 (or your local emergency response number) if you experience any of the following 5 symptoms of a heart attack:
- Pain or discomfort (uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, or fullness) in the center of your chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that comes and goes.
- Discomfort or pain that spreads beyond your chest to the arm or shoulder or other areas of the upper body. This can occur in one or both arms.
- Pain or discomfort in the back, neck, teeth, jaw or stomach. Often, this feels like heartburn.
- Lightheadedness (feeling like you might pass out), generally accompanied by nausea, vomiting and breaking out in a cold, clammy sweat.
- Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort. You may feel anxiety as if you’re having an unexplained panic attack and feel heart palpitations, like your heart is skipping a beat. Experiencing a sudden loss of responsiveness or abnormal breathing could indicate cardiac arrest.
Don’t dismiss your symptoms as nothing or rationalize them as stress. If your symptoms last for more than 5 minutes, call 911 or go to an emergency room as quickly as possible.
Don’t drive yourself to the hospital unless you have no other choice. Also, remember to stay calm and take long, deep breaths while you wait for emergency responders.
Different symptoms in men and women
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. There are many similarities in the symptoms experienced by each gender. But there are also important differences that could save your life if you know them.
The most common heart attack symptom in women is chest pain or discomfort just as it is with men. However, women are more likely to experience other common symptoms, like sweating, pressure, shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting or flu-like symptoms, irregular pain in the lower or upper back or jaw pain. Even more, some women struggle to breathe up to a few weeks before their heart attack.
Know your risks, trust your instincts
Knowing the warning signs and symptoms of a heart attack is vastly important. Similarly, seeing your primary care provider on a regular basis and learning your family history of heart issues are a big help too.
Want to learn more about your heart health? Take our free, online heart risk assessment today.
