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Heart Attack: Early Warning Signs

Heart attacks are the most common cause of death in the US. Heart attacks occur when there is a sudden, complete blockage of blood flow to part of the heart muscle. Every minute of the day someone dies from a heart attack. Early treatment is crucial for heart attack victims. Prompt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation can save a life. Quick treatment to break up blood clots can greatly improve a person's chance of surviving a heart attack. Since early treatment makes a difference, it is important to know the early signs of a heart attack.

What are the signs of a heart attack?

Signs of a heart attack may be one or more of the following:

Discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for more than 5 minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain.
Discomfort in other areas of the upper body, such as pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
Shortness of breath, which often comes with chest discomfort but can occur before the chest discomfort.
Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness.

Women who are having a heart attack may not have the usual symptoms, resulting in a delay in care. Their symptoms may include atypical or unusual chest pain, abdominal pain, nausea, trouble breathing, and unexplained fatigue.

What should I do in case of a heart attack?

If you or someone you know feels chest discomfort, especially with one or more of the other symptoms, get medical care immediately. Do not wait longer than 5 minutes before calling 911. Calling 911 is usually the fastest way to get medical help in an emergency.

If you think a person is having a heart attack:

Call for emergency help by dialing 911. Stay on the line. Do not take the person to a hospital in your own car.
Be calm and take actions that make the victim feel less excited.
Have the victim sit or lie down.
Ask the person if they take any medicines for chest pain, such as nitroglycerin. If so, get it and follow the written instructions on its use.
Ask the person if they are allergic to aspirin. If they are not allergic, have them chew an aspirin as soon after calling 911 as possible.
If the person stops breathing, start mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Tell the 911 operator that this has happened.
If the pulse and breathing stop, begin CPR. Continue until help arrives.

For more information about giving CPR and other life-saving skills, contact your local chapter of the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross or visit their Web sites at http://www.americanheart.org and http://www.redcross.org.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIA File CRD3624F.HTM Release 9.0/2006