According to the American Heart Association, there are possible warning signs for an impending heart attack.
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but most start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Here are some of the signs that can mean a heart attack is happening.
- Chest discomfort, most often in the center of the chest. The pain can last more than a few minutes or it can go away and come back. It can feel like an uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain.
- Discomfort in other areas of the upper body, including symptoms of pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
- Shortness of breath, often accompanying chest discomfort, but it can occur before.
- Other signs may include breaking into a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness.
The American Heart Association recommends that if you or someone you know had chest discomfort, especially with one or more of the other signs, you should wait no longer than 5 minutes before calling for help. Call 9-1-1 immediately. If you do not have access to emergency medical services (EMS), have someone drive you to the hospital right away. Don't drive yourself unless you have absolutely no other option.
For more information on this subject or to acquire other AHA brochures, contact The American Heart Association at 1-800-AHA-USA1 (1-800-242-8721) or visit the AHA website at www.americanheart.org.
SOURCE: Pamplet, "High Blood Pressure," ©American Heart Association, 2001.
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