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Symptoms of a Heart Attack

Heart attack is the leading cause of death in the United States. Each year more than 1.1 million people suffer a heart attack and 450,000 of them do not recover. A heart attack happens when the blood flowing to any part of the heart becomes blocked. If blood flow is not restored quickly, that part of the heart will be irreparably damaged due to lack of oxygen and it will begin to die.

Though heart attack is the leading cause of death for both men and women, doctors have come a long way in being able to treat a heart attack and save people's lives. The key is getting the patient to the hospital within an hour of the beginning of symptoms. But tragically, many of the people who die from a heart attack could have been saved if only they had not ignored the warning signs. That is why it is important for everyone to know exactly what these symptoms and signs are.

Heart Attack Symptoms


In the following paragraphs we will be looking at the most common symptoms of a heart attack. If you or someone you know experiences any of these symptoms you should call an ambulance or get to the emergency room of the nearest hospital as soon as possible.


*Chest pain or discomfort-uncomfortable and even painful pressure, tightness or squeezing, or pressure in the middle of the chest that can be merely unpleasant or truly painful. This pain or discomfort often lasts for only a few minutes then goes away and later comes back again. Do not ignore this most common symptom.


*Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the neck, the jaw, the back or stomach.


*Shortness of breath-this is perhaps the leading indicator that occurs shortly before chest pains begin.


*Other symptoms that have been recorded by heart attack victims include: nausea, vomiting, vertigo, lightheadedness, fainting, or sudden and profuse sweating.


If you experience any of these symptoms:


*Call or ask someone to call 9-1-1 immediately.


*If symptoms stop or diminish you should still call your doctor and visit the hospital.


*If possible, take an ambulance to the hospital. Arriving in a car can delay treatment in the emergency room.


*If you have a heart condition and your doctor has prescribed medication, take a nitroglycerin pill.


Remember getting help fast is the key to surviving a heart attack. Of the hundreds of thousands of people that die from heart attacks each year, about half of them die within an hour of their first symptoms. Many of them expire on their way to the hospital because they ignored the symptoms and did not seek help fast enough.

How to know if you've had a Heart Attack


Since the warning signs and symptoms are similar, many people who go to the emergency room believing that they are having a heart attack are actually experiencing a simple, non-fatal panic attack. However, ONLY a doctor can determine whether or not you have had a heart attack after he performs a series of tests. The most common of these is an electrocardiogram (EKG), which is used to locate any abnormalities or damage to the heart.

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