A heart attack is a serious medical emergency that requires immediate attention. If you don't know what the signs and symptoms are, you may miss out on an important window where you can be treated--and the damage to your heart may be minimized and your life may be saved. A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart stops because of a blockage in one of the blood vessels in the heart.
Symptoms in the Chest
Chest pain is the most common symptom that people think about when it comes to heart attack symptoms--and although it is a symptom, pain isn't' the only way to describe it. Heart attack symptoms that affect the chest can be actual sharp pains, or more like a pressure or heaviness in the chest, says the American Heart Association. It may also feel like a squeezing sensation or a feeling of fullness, and some people may experience a sensation like heartburn or feel that they are choking, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Pain in the Upper Body
Pain can radiate out from the chest, causing pains down one or both arms, and even the back. Some people may develop a stomachache, says the AHA, or feel pain that travels up the neck, in the jaw and into the back. A feeling of anxiety may develop during a heart attack, and some people may notice that they are coughing frequently, says the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Fainting is also a common heart attack symptom.
Difficulty Breathing and More
Many people find that they are winded and have difficulty catching their breath--maybe they are breathing a little harder than usual or are out of breath very quickly. Nausea and vomiting may also occur, along with a feeling of dizziness. The AHA also says that sweating is a common symptom of a heart attack. A rapidly beating heart, or an irregular rhythm to the heartbeat, may also be a sign of heart attack, say experts at the Cleveland Clinic.
