Signs and Symptoms

Heart disease is the number one killer of both women and men! Women are less likely to believe they are having a heart attack, and more likely to delay treatment!
 
What does a heart attack feel like? Everyone is always so sure they will know when/if they are having a heart attack. The truth is, the symptoms aren’t always screaming “heart attack”! Most of us think we will be clutching our chest, struggling to cross the floor.  You might feel that, but most people don’t. Even if you have had a heart attack before, a second attack may have very different symptoms than the first one. It’s important to know some of the warning signs you might feel:

• Chest Discomfort: Discomfort can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. Discomfort lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and returns.
 
• Upper body Discomfort: Can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
 
• Shortness of breath: Often comes with chest discomfort, but can also occur before chest discomfort.
 
Other symptoms may include:
• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Cold sweat
• Light-headedness

• Extreme fatigue
• Lack of energy

• Heart Burn/Indigestion
 
Women tend to experience:

• Extreme fatigue

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Shortness of breath

• Back or jaw pain.

The most common symptom in both women and men is chest discomfort or pain.
 
If you feel heart attack symptoms, DO NOT DELAY! Minutes matter. Call 911.
 
This information is from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute