Heart attack symptoms: what to watch for and when to call 911
Learning these warning signs could save your life.
Heart attacks can happen to anyone. But they don't always look the same, and sometimes symptoms can be hard to spot.
"Many people expect a heart attack to be dramatic, with someone clutching their chest and falling to the ground. The reality is often much more subtle," says Sudeshna Banerjee, MD.
"That's why it's important to know all the possible signs," adds Dr. Banerjee. She leads PeaceHealth's program for serious heart attacks in Eugene-Springfield, Oregon.
A full range of symptoms
A heart attack happens when the heart muscle doesn’t get enough blood and oxygen. Often, that’s because blood vessels that bring blood to the heart are blocked. The longer the heart goes without blood flow, the more damage it can cause.
Chest pain or discomfort is the most common heart attack warning sign.
"The pain may last a few minutes or come and go," says Dr. Banerjee. "Some people describe it as pressure, squeezing or fullness. Others say it feels like an upset stomach or heartburn."
Other signs can include:
- Shortness of breath — with or without chest pain.
- Nausea, lightheadedness or vomiting
- Unexplained tiredness/fatigue that may last for days.
- Pain or discomfort in the back, shoulder, neck, arm or jaw.
- Anxiety.
- Breaking out in a cold sweat.
Anyone can have these less-dramatic symptoms, but heart specialists say women are more likely to report them.
'Silent' heart attacks
It may be tempting to dismiss shortness of breath or lightheadedness as nothing to worry about. Try not to, though. Just because a symptom goes away, it doesn’t mean your heart is okay.
Some people have heart attacks with symptoms so mild they go unnoticed or get identified as something else, like anxiety or indigestion.
These episodes, known as silent heart attacks, can be just as serious as more obvious ones. Left untreated, they can cause scarring and permanent damage to your heart, raising the risk of future heart conditions.
"If something feels strange, especially if you have risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes or a family history of heart disease, take it seriously," says Dr. Banerjee. "It's always better to get checked out and be wrong than to ignore a real heart attack."
What to do in case of a heart attack
If there's even a slight chance you or a loved one is having a heart attack, here's what to expect:
- Call 911 immediately or get someone to call for you. Don't wait to see if the symptoms go away.
Wait for paramedics to arrive. Never drive yourself to the ER. Don't have someone else drive you either.
When you call 911, EMS workers can start lifesaving treatment while you're on the way to the ER. Restoring blood flow to your heart as soon as possible gives you the best chance of recovery and may prevent permanent damage.
Once you get to the ER, your care team will act quickly. They may take X-rays or do heart rhythm tests to understand what's happening in your body. They can also do tests to confirm that what you're experiencing is a heart attack.
If so, you might have blood tests to check for heart damage and get medication to improve heart function and blood flow. Your doctor might also do a procedure to open blocked blood vessels.
Be your own advocate
When you call 911 or arrive at the hospital, clearly tell the medical staff that you think you're having a heart attack. Don't downplay your symptoms.
"Every minute counts," says Dr. Banerjee. "The sooner we can get you into treatment, the better the outcome."
In other words, taking your symptoms seriously could save your life.
