Heart Attack

Home » Heart Attack » Warning Signs

Warning Signs of Heart Attack

The American Heart Association has identified several warning signs of a heart attack. A person having a heart attack may not experience all of the warning signs and warning signs can come and go. Anyone who experiences these symptoms, or witnesses someone experiencing these symptoms, should call immediately for emergency medical assistance.

Common warning signs of a heart attack include the following:

• Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing, or pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back
  
• Pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck, or arms
  
• Chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea, or shortness of breath
  

Less common warning signs of heart attack include the following:

• Atypical chest, stomach, or abdominal pain
  
• Nausea or dizziness (without chest pain)
  
• Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing (without chest pain)
  
• Unexplained anxiety, weakness, or fatigue
  
• Palpitations, cold sweat, or paleness
  

Heart Attack, Warning Signs reprinted with permission from cardiologychannel.com
© 1998-2008 Healthcommunities.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Heart Attack Resources

	Join Our Heart Attack Forum Do you have a question, want to share medical advice, or just need to discuss your situation with someone else having a similar experience? The healthchannels forum is a resource for everyone to share and discuss their health and medical needs with others.	Advertising Disclaimer
	Living with...Share your story Do you have a personal health story that you would like to share with others? As a source of free patient education, our goal is to provide our users with trustworthy information and support from others. That's why we've started our "Living with..." sections.
	Our "Living With..." support pages are a place to share experiences about living with a certain condition, disease, disorder, or illness and for loved ones of those dealing with health-related issues. Many people, especially when newly diagnosed, find comfort in knowing that others are having a similar experience. Help others by sharing your story. View stories already submitted.
	Stay Updated Sign up for our newsletter and receive important updates on the medical conditions that are most important to you.
Are you interested in becoming a nurse? Take this test. Advertising Disclaimer To quickly access health information from your website's browser, download Healthcommunities.com's healthchannels toolbar. Advertising Disclaimer