Warning Signs of Heart Attack
The American Heart Association has identified several warning signs of a heart attack. A person having a heart attack may not experience all of the warning signs and warning signs can come and go. Anyone who experiences these symptoms or witnesses someone experiencing these symptoms should call immediately for emergency medical assistance (i.e., call 9-1-1).
Common warning signs of a heart attack include the following:
- Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing, or pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back
- Pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck, or arms
- Chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea, or shortness of breath
Less common warning signs of heart attack include the following:
- Atypical chest, stomach, or abdominal pain
- Nausea or dizziness (without chest pain)
- Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing (without chest pain)
- Unexplained anxiety, weakness, or fatigue
- Palpitations, cold sweat, or paleness
Physician-developed and -monitored.
Original Date of Publication: 02 Jul 2000
Reviewed by: Stanley J. Swierzewski, III, M.D.
Last Reviewed: 01 Dec 2007
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