Heart Attack Symptoms and Warning Signs

Common heart attack symptoms and warning signs may include:

• Chest discomfort that feels like pressure, fullness, or a squeezing pain in the center of your chest; it lasts for more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
• Pain and discomfort that extend beyond your chest to other parts of your upper body, such as one or both arms, back, neck, stomach, teeth, and jaw
• Unexplained shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort
• Other symptoms, such as cold sweats, nausea or vomiting, lightheadedness, anxiety, indigestion, and unexplained fatigue

As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain. Learn about the warning signs of heart attack in women.

Learn the signs, but remember this: Even if you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, have it checked out (tell a doctor about your symptoms). Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives — maybe your own. Don’t wait more than five minutes to call 9-1-1 or your emergency response number.

Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services (EMS) staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. EMS staff are also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the hospital, too. It is best to call EMS for rapid transport to the emergency room.

For more information check out the following resources

American Heart Association

Aspirin Benefits
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) recommend the use of aspirin in lower dosages under a doctor’s care for people who have experienced a variety of heart conditions. Aspirin isn’t right for everyone so you should always check with your doctor before beginning an aspirin regimen. To help you start the discussion, here are some of the FDA-approved uses for aspirin.

During a Heart Attack
Chewing as little as one half (160 to 162.5 mg) of a regular-strength aspirin (325 mg) tablet during a suspected heart attack and continued use for 30 days thereafter reduces the risk of death by up to 23%. If taken during a suspected heart attack, aspirin can also lessen the damaging effects of the attack.

Preventing Recurrent Heart Attack
Another use of aspirin is for the prevention of heart attacks in people who have already had a heart attack. Taken regularly, aspirin can reduce the risk of a second attack by 30%. The approved dosage for recurrent heart attack prevention is 75 to 325 mg.

Preventing Heart Attacks in Patients with Angina
Angina, also known as chest pain, is one of the most common symptoms of heart disease. Angina is caused when blood flow to an area of the heart has been decreased. There are two type of angina: stable and unstable. Stable angina is when the pain occurs during exertion and times of emotional stress. Unstable angina occurs while at rest. Unstable angina may also be felt more frequently, be more severe and could lead to a heart attack. Millions of Americans are in this high-risk category.

An aspirin regimen could help reduce the risk of a first heart attack in patients with stable or unstable angina. In patients suffering from unstable angina, one study showed the risk for heart attack was reduced by 51%. The approved dosage for heart attack prevention in patients with angina is 75 to 325 mg.

Preventing Recurrent Ischemic Stroke
Regular aspirin use under a doctor’s care can help prevent recurrent ischemic stroke in people who already have suffered a first ischemic stroke or have had a transient ischemic attack (TIA or mini-stroke). As with heart attacks, aspirin lessens the damaging effects to the brain if a stroke does occur. The approved dosage for recurrent ischemic stroke prevention is 50 to 325 mg.

Aspirin is not appropriate for everyone, so be sure to talk to your doctor before you begin an aspirin regimen.

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