A heart attack can strike like a sledge hammer, leaving no doubt that you’re in a cardiac emergency. A heart attack can also be so subtle that you mistake it for indigestion. That’s why it’s so important to understand the warning signs for heart attack.

Warning Signs of Heart Attack

• Pain or discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back. It can feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body such as in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath that occurs with or before chest discomfort.
• Other symptoms include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or light-headedness.

Warning Signs of a Heart attack in Women

Pat Suderow, R.N., and Maureen Allain, R.N., are ready to answer questions about the heart.

Heart attack symptoms in women can be very different than those in men.

• Pressure, fullness, squeezing pain in the center of the chest, spreading to the neck, shoulder or jaw pain.
• Chest discomfort with light-headedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath.
• Upper abdominal pressure or discomfort
• Lower chest discomfort
• Back pain
• Unusual fatigue
• Unusual shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Nausea

Don’t take chances with chest pain. If you or someone near you experiences chest pain or other symptoms of a heart attack, don’t delay! Seek medical attention immediately.