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What a heart attack feels like
The most common symptom of a heart attack is chest pain or discomfort. Many people describe it as a feeling of pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing in the middle of the chest.
This pain may last for several minutes, or it may come and go. It can start suddenly or build up gradually, and it may feel different from ordinary chest indigestion or strain.
Other common symptoms
Pain does not always stay in the chest. It can spread to the arms, especially the left arm, as well as the jaw, neck, back or stomach.
Some people also feel short of breath. This may happen with chest discomfort, or it may be the main symptom, particularly in women, older adults and people with diabetes.
Less obvious warning signs
A heart attack can also cause nausea, sweating, dizziness or a sudden feeling of weakness. Some people feel light-headed or faint, and others may become anxious or have a strong sense that something is seriously wrong.
Symptoms can be mild at first, which means they are sometimes mistaken for indigestion, flu or anxiety. Do not ignore unusual chest discomfort, especially if it is new, severe or lasts more than a few minutes.
Symptoms can vary from person to person
Not everyone has the same symptoms. Some people have severe chest pain, while others have very little pain but feel breathless, sick or unusually tired.
Women are more likely than men to have symptoms such as nausea, back pain, shortness of breath or jaw pain without the classic crushing chest pain. This can make a heart attack easier to miss.
What to do if you think it is a heart attack
If you think you or someone else may be having a heart attack, call 999 immediately. Do not drive to hospital yourself unless an ambulance is not available and you are told to do so.
While waiting for help, sit down and rest. If the person is not allergic to aspirin and has not been told to avoid it, emergency services may advise giving one 300mg aspirin tablet to chew slowly.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common heart attack symptoms include chest pain or pressure, pain that spreads to the arm, shoulder, back, neck, or jaw, shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, and lightheadedness.
Heart attack symptoms in women can be less typical and may include shortness of breath, nausea, unusual fatigue, back or jaw pain, and indigestion-like discomfort, though women can also have classic chest pain.
Yes, heart attack symptoms can occur without chest pain. Some people feel shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, or pain in the arm, back, neck, or jaw instead.
Heart attack symptoms may last more than a few minutes, come and go, or stay constant. Any persistent or recurring symptoms should be treated as an emergency.
Call emergency services right away if you notice heart attack symptoms. Do not drive yourself unless instructed, and seek immediate medical help because fast treatment can save heart muscle.
No, heart attack symptoms are not always severe. They can be mild, vague, or mistaken for heartburn, fatigue, or muscle pain, which is why they should never be ignored.
Yes, heart attack symptoms can start suddenly and intensely. In other cases, they build gradually over minutes or hours before becoming obvious.
Heart attack symptoms in the chest often feel like pressure, tightness, squeezing, fullness, or pain rather than a sharp pinpoint ache.
Yes, heart attack symptoms can include pain, discomfort, numbness, or heaviness in one or both arms, especially the left arm.
Yes, heart attack symptoms can include pain or pressure in the jaw, neck, throat, or upper back, sometimes with or without chest discomfort.
Yes, heart attack symptoms can feel like indigestion, heartburn, bloating, or stomach discomfort, especially when the pain is in the upper abdomen or chest.
Yes, shortness of breath can be a heart attack symptom, either with chest discomfort or as the main symptom.
Yes, sudden cold sweating or clammy skin can be a heart attack symptom, especially when it happens with chest pain, nausea, or dizziness.
Yes, nausea, vomiting, or feeling sick to the stomach can be heart attack symptoms, particularly in women and older adults.
Yes, dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting can be heart attack symptoms and may signal a serious emergency.
Yes, unusual fatigue or sudden weakness can be a heart attack symptom, especially when it appears with shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or nausea.
Heart attack symptoms may include chest pressure, pain spreading to other areas, sweating, and shortness of breath, while panic attacks often involve intense fear, rapid breathing, and palpitations. Because they can overlap, any possible heart attack symptoms need urgent medical evaluation.
Emergency warning signs include chest pressure or pain, pain spreading to the arm, back, jaw, or neck, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, fainting, or severe weakness.
Yes, heart attack symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for muscle pain, especially if the discomfort is in the chest, shoulder, back, or arm. Pain that does not improve or comes with other symptoms should be treated as an emergency.
Call 911 for heart attack symptoms right away if you have chest pressure, pain spreading to other areas, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, or sudden weakness. Do not wait to see if the symptoms go away.
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