Heart Disease Health Center

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Understanding Heart Attack - Symptoms

What Are the Symptoms of a Heart Attack?

A crushing, squeezing, or burning pain, pressure, or fullness in the center of the chest. The pain may radiate to the neck, one or both arms, the shoulders, or the jaw. The chest discomfort lasts more than a few minutes. It can diminish in intensity and return.
Shortness of breath, dizziness
Nausea, heartburn, or upset stomach
Sweating or feeling "the chills"
A weak, fast pulse.
An irregular heart beat
Cold, clammy skin, or a gray color to the face
Fainting or loss of consciousness
Fatigue

You may not feel all of these symptoms. Some people experience no symptoms -- this is called silent ischemia.

Women often have different symptoms of a heart attack than men. They may not experience chest pain but may have other symptoms, such as pain high in the abdomen or chest, or pain in the jaw, back, or neck.

Call 911 Immediately About a Heart Attack If:

You or someone else shows signs of a heart attack. Seek emergency help right away, without delay.
Your angina (chest pain) no longer responds to medication. This may indicate that a heart attack is beginning.
Your angina attacks become more frequent, prolonged, and severe. As angina worsens, the risk of heart attack increases.

Call Your Doctor About a Heart Attack If:

You are taking aspirin to prevent heart attack and your stool appears black and tarry. This may indicate gastrointestinal bleeding and could be a sign that aspirin has thinned your blood too much, problems that can and should be corrected.

WebMD Medical Reference

Reviewed by Robert J Bryg, MD on November 10, 2008