Heart Attack Signs and Symptoms

There are typical (common) and atypical (unusual) signs and symptoms of heart attack, as well as acute (immediate) and chronic (long-term).

Heart Attacks Signs & Symptoms
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Helpful Highlights

  • Typical signs and symptoms of a heart attack are those that are common and with which most adults are familiar.

  • Atypical signs and symptoms of a heart attack are those that are unusual and may get dismissed as something else. They occur frequently in women, persons with diabetes, and the old-old.

  • Never ignore signs and symptoms, and if you suspect a heart attack, always call 9-1-1 for emergency services transport to the hospital.

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In an emergency

If your loved one experiences symptoms of a heart attack, call 9-1-1 for emergency services (EMS) transport to the hospital. Do not wait and do not drive them to the hospital yourself. An ambulance ride could be the difference between life and death.

Steps you can take before EMS arrival

Call 9-1-1 for EMS help and ambulance transport to the hospital.

If your loved one is already prescribed nitroglycerin, you may give them nitroglycerin as prescribed while awaiting emergency services.

What to do in the event of a heart attack

If your loved one is unconscious and you think they may be having a heart attack, first call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number and put them on speaker so you can talk and work. Then check if your loved one is breathing and has a pulse, as the emergency operator will ask. If the person isn't breathing or you don't find a pulse, only then should you begin CPR.

Jugular Pulse Check Placement

Acute vs. chronic signs and symptoms

A heart attack occurs when one or more arteries that send blood and oxygen to the heart are blocked. Fatty, cholesterol-containing deposits build up over time, forming plaques in these coronary arteries. If a plaque ruptures, a blood clot can form and block arteries, causing a heart attack.

Symptoms may appear hours (acute), days (chronic), or even weeks (chronic) before a heart attack, though sometimes the symptoms only occur immediately with it (acute). This list represents both. About two-thirds of people experience one or more of the following:

Another one-third of people, predominantly women, persons with diabetes, and the old-old, experience unusual symptoms:

As you can see, symptoms of a heart attack vary. Some people have mild symptoms. Others have severe symptoms. Some people have no symptoms.

It’s important to note that not all people who have heart attacks experience the same symptoms or the same severity of symptoms.

Chest pain is the most commonly reported symptom among both women and men, however.

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