Heart Attack Symptoms

Heart Attacks -- What to Look For

A heart attack occurs when a vessel supplying the heart muscle with oxygen and nutrients becomes completely blocked. Don't wait to seek medical evaluation if you experience these symptoms. While some heart attacks have a sudden onset, most start slowly with mild pain or discomfort and progressively build.

Men often, but not always, experience the "classic" warning signs of a heart attack:

• Pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest 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

Trigger: Men most often report physical exertion prior to heart attacks.

Women may experience the "classic symptoms," but they are often milder. They also have other symptoms like:

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Nausea, vomiting or dizziness
• Back or jaw pain
• Unexplained anxiety, weakness or fatigue
• Palpitations, cold sweats or paleness
• Mild, flu-like symptoms

Trigger: Women most often report emotional stress prior to heart attacks.