Do You Know the Warning Signs of a Heart Attack?
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability, yet most Americans don’t know the warning signs of a heart attack, according to the CDC.
“Some heart attacks are sudden and intense — the “movie heart attack,” where no one doubts what’s happening, but most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren’t sure what’s wrong and wait too long before getting help,” says the American Heart Association.
Heart attack warning signs can include one or more of the following symptoms:
- Chest discomfort. This is the most common symptom. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
- Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. Women are more likely than men to experience these symptoms, particularly back or jaw pain, as well as shortness of breath.
- Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
- Other signs: These may include
- breaking out in a cold sweat,
- nausea/vomiting or
- lightheadedness
Chest pain is the most common symptom, but one study in the journal Chest revealed one in 12 patients do not have typical symptoms when having a heart attack. Heart-attack victims who don’t show symptoms of severe chest pain — often women, seniors or those with chronic conditions — are 10 times more likely to be misdiagnosed and also more likely to die of a heart attack.
Source: Chest 2004
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