Symptoms of heart attack

Every year, an estimated 805,000 people in the United States have a heart attack, according to the Chest pain is the most common heart attack warning sign, but there can be other symptoms, too, such as shortness of breath or lightheadedness. Symptoms may be severe or mild, and can vary from one person to the next. Sometimes, a heart attack can be mistaken for heartburn or an anxiety attack. In addition, heart attack symptoms can vary between men and women. This article will take a closer look at the warning signs of a heart attack, what it typically feels like, and how the symptoms can vary between men and women. A Heart attacks are usually caused by waxy plaque that’s built up inside the blood vessels that lead to your heart. This plaque is made up of When a hard plaque bursts, a blood clot forms quickly. If the clot is big enough, it will disrupt blood flow to your heart. If the flow of oxygenated blood is completely blocked, the heart tissue supplied by that artery becomes damaged and may die, placing you at higher risk of If you suspect you or someone close to you is having a heart attack, call 911 or local emergency services. Don’t try to drive yourself to the hospital if you have heart attack symptoms. Immediate medical treatment that restores normal blood flow quickly can result in less damage to your heart tissue. A heart attack usually involves pain in the center or left side of the chest that lingers for several minutes or comes and goes. The pain can feel differ...

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. The classic heart attack symptom is crushing chest pain or heaviness in your chest. (The ol’ “elephant on my chest” metaphor.) But that’s not always the case. Some people might experience warning signs in the day or hours leading up to the more dramaticheart attack symptoms, says cardiologist Recognizing early heart attack symptoms could save your life or the life of someone around you. Dr. Tamis-Holland shares important advice so you canrecognize who’s at risk for a heart attack, learn the early warning signals and know when to seek treatment. Heart attack warning signs Most Some heart attacks are sudden and unmistakable. They’re what you typically imagine when you think of someone having a heart attack. A person may clutch their chest in pain, have diffuse sweats,vomit, and may even collapse— all without any prior warning. But in some people, heart attacks come on more gradually, Dr. Tamis-Holland states, and the signs may not be obvious. Some of the common early warning signs of a heart attack may not seem like an emergency andcan be easy to shrug off. They include things like: • Pressure or tightness in your chest (rather than pain). • Pain in your arm, jaw, neck or back. • Cold sweats. • Heartburn or indigestion. • Shortness of breath. • Nausea or vomiting. • Unusual fatigue. Heart attack signs in men...