Heart Attack Symptoms
According to the American Heart Association, common heart attack symptoms may include:
- Chest discomfort. 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.
Atypical symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
- Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness.
Women may be less likely than men to experience chest pressure during a heart attack. They may be more likely than men to experience shortness of breath, dizziness, and pressure in the upper abdomen and back.
What should I do if I think I’m having a heart attack?
- Call 9-1-1. Even if you aren’t sure that you’re having a full-blown heart attack, your symptoms need to be evaluated immediately to prevent damage to your heart. Let a 9-1-1 dispatcher send an ambulance to pick you up; don’t drive yourself to a hospital.
- Take an aspirin. If you are not allergic to aspirin, while you wait for the ambulance to arrive you can place a regular-strength aspirin on your tongue and allow it to dissolve to prevent blood from clotting.
Chest pain accreditation
Community Hospital has been accredited as a chest pain center by the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care. This accreditation recognizes our expertise in dealing with patients who arrive with symptoms of a heart attack.
