As for a heart attack, whether your symptoms seem obvious or more subtle, take them seriously and call the emergency services if necessary.
Typical symptoms of heart attack
– Chest discomfort or pain
This discomfort or pain may feel like pain , pressure, fullness, or pinching in the chest that lasts more than a few minutes. This discomfort may come and go.
– Pain in the upper body
The pain or discomfort may extend to the move beyond your chest and reach your shoulders, arms, back, neck, teeth or jaw. You may have pain in your upper body without chest discomfort.
– Stomach pain
Pain may radiate down into the abdominal area and may feel like heartburn.
– Shortness of breath
You can gasp for breath or try to take deep breaths. This often happens before you experience any chest discomfort, or you may not experience any chest discomfort.
– Anxiety
You may feel unwell or feel like you are having a panic attack for no apparent reason.
– Dizziness
In addition to feeling pressure in your chest, you may feel dizzy or faint.
– Sweating
You may suddenly start sweating with cold, clammy skin.
– Nausea and vomiting
You may stomach pain or vomiting.
– Heart palpitations
You may feel like your heart is skipping beats , or you may just be very aware that your heart is beating.
Heart attack: Get help right away
Symptoms of a heart attack can vary considerably nt. For example, you may experience only minor chest discomfort while another person is in excruciating pain. One thing, however, is true for everyone: if you think you are having a heart attack, call the emergency services. If you don’t have access to emergency medical services, have someone drive you to the nearest hospital. Drive only as a last resort, if there is absolutely no other option.
Heart attack: Symptoms may not be dramatic
Movies and television often portray heart attacks as dramatic, chest-tightening events. But heart attacks often start with subtle symptoms, like discomfort that can’t even be described as pain. It can be tempting to try to downplay your symptoms or pass them off as indigestion or anxiety. But don’t endure the symptoms of a heart attack for more than five minutes. Call the emergency room
Heart attack: Women may have different symptoms
Women may have all, many, some or none of the symptoms typical of a heart attack. Some type of pain, pressure or discomfort in the chest is still a common symptom in women. However, many women have heart attack symptoms without chest pain. They may include:
– pain in the neck, back, shoulders or jaw
– Shortness of breath
– Abdominal pain or “heartburn”.
– Pain in one or both arms
– Nausea or vomiting
– Dizziness or fainting
– Unusual or unexplained tiredness, which may last for several days
Heart attack: Additional information for the elderly and people with diabetes
The elderly and diabetics may have no symptoms or very mild symptoms . Never rule out the symptoms of a heart attack, even if they don’t seem serious.
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