Heart attack symptoms vary widely and will not be experienced the same by everyone. Early heart attack warning signs may be very mild and not raise immediate concern. In many cases, a person may notice she feels differently than normal or has a sudden onset of several odd symptoms at once. Others, however, may not experience any warning signs, and will only have symptoms when the heart attack has advanced. The American Heart Association advocates early heart attack detection by seeking medical attention immediately, any time that heart attack symptoms are suspected.
Indigestion
Indigestion is an early heart attack symptom that may be overlooked. Women are more likely than men to experience nausea, vomiting and heartburn symptoms during a heart attack, according to MayoClinic.com. A sudden onset of indigestion, especially in people who do not routinely suffer from it, may be an early heart attack symptom. Individuals who experience heartburn regularly may have trouble discerning indigestion as a heart-related symptom. However, indigestion that occurs for no apparent reason or that is accompanied by other symptoms may be cardiac in nature and warrants medical evaluation.
Fatigue
During a heart attack, blood flow to the heart and brain slows down. The body pulls oxygen from circulated blood to fuel the brain. As blood flow lessens, the brain and body tissues receive less oxygen, resulting in feeling increasingly tired. Initially, fatigue may appear transient and be fleeting. As a heart attack progresses, however, and blood flow to the heart is reduced even more, fatigue can become extreme.
Discomfort
Both men and women can experience a range of physical discomfort during an early heart attack. In some cases, discomfort can begin hours to days before the full effects of a heart attack are realized. Chest pain is the most recognized heart attack symptom for both sexes; however, the symptom might be experienced more as chest pressure or discomfort, rather than chest pain. Pressure may be felt anywhere on the chest and can range in severity from crushing to simply annoying. Pain and pressure may also be present in the upper back between the shoulder blades, and in one or both arms or in the neck.
Feelings of discomfort can increase as the heart attack progresses, or may remain mild throughout. Pain may initially begin in the chest and move to other areas of the body, according to the National Institutes of Health. A sudden, nagging onset of pain or discomfort that cannot be attributed to any one cause, such as physical exertion, should be suspected as cardiac in nature and warrants medical attention.
