Heart attacks can start slow, with mild pain or discomfort or be very sudden and intense. If you are experiencing these symptoms, please, call 911 immediately and follow the operator’s instructions. Do not drive yourself to the hospital. Tell them your address, stay on the line, unlock your door, try and stay calm and rest while waiting for them. Time is of the essence to prevent permanent heart damage. The longer you wait the harder it is to treat.
According to the American Heart Association, these are the main symptoms and signs of a heart attack.
- Uncomfortable pressure, “tightness”, squeezing fullness of pain in the center of your chest. It may last more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.
- Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
- Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
- Other signs: breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness
The most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort
Men vs Women
Men and women can have different symptoms and signs.
Men’s usual signs and symptoms include:
- Chest pressure
- Pain that spreads to the neck, shoulder, and jaw
- Pain in the left arm
- Squeezing in chest
- Cold sweat
Women’s usual signs and symptoms include:
- Chest pressure
- Pain that spreads to the neck, shoulder, and jaw
- Pain between the shoulder blades
- Lower chest pain
- Back or jaw pain
- Palpitations
- Dizziness
- Unexplained fatigue/anxiety
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath
Risk Factors
According to the American Heart Association, some of the major risk factors that can lead to a heart attack include:
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Being overweight or obese
- Diabetes
- Inactive lifestyle
- Poor nutrition
- Stress
- Family history
Be sure you know the signs so you can reach out to the experts. The faster you are able to get help, the easier it is to treat.
Resources
Author
Alana Hamilton
Alana Hamilton is a physical therapist at Advantage Physical Therapy in Falls Church, Virginia. She is a proud Hokie from Virginia Tech with a major in Biology and a minor in psychology and sociology. Following graduation, she immediately got her doctorate in Physical Therapy from Radford University. She is an avid fan of Pilates, running, and hiking. On the weekends, she can be found hanging out with her family and baby as well as doing Spartan races with her old physical therapy classmates and friends. She is a big believer that during rehabilitation, "Motion is the Lotion" and that staying active is key to remaining healthy.
