Fact Checked
Overview
There are usually certain signs when a person experiences a heart attack. There are certain signs, included below, which can help you determine whether you are having a heart attack or not. However, a person doesn’t have to experience everything on this list for it to be a heart attack. In most instances, if you notice two or more signs, phone for an ambulance or go the hospital for assistance because chances are it might be a heart attack.
Discomfort in the Chest
- The main indication of a heart attack is chest discomfort. The pain can be minor to severe pain. Most people usually do not have any sharp pain, sometimes it’s just a dull ache.
- The pain is normally consistent and doesn’t seem to increase. However, most people describe this pain as severe discomfort and a tight feeling surrounding the chest.
- If you experience severe pain or discomfort when breathing in or moving, you need to phone for an ambulance right away.
Pain in the Jaw, Neck and Shoulder
- Chest pain can extend to other parts of the body. A lot of people will usually experience pain in the neck, arm or jaw.
- Some may even experience pain in between the shoulder blades.
Shortness of Breath
- A person may feel pressure or discomfort on the chest which might feel like they are suffocating, which might lead to breathing problems.
- Sometimes a heart attack can cause an accumulation of fluid in the lungs, which can lead to breathing problems. If a person is bringing up a frothy white foam, this is a sign of a serious condition that needs medical attention right away.
Perspiring
- When an individual experiences a heart attack, there is pressure being positioned on the body, and perspiration is one of the ways the body handles stress.
- When joined with the other indications listed, perspiring is often an additional symptom that one should watch out for.
Nausea
- Nausea is an additional way in which the body will tell you something is wrong. This occurs when the body is feeling stressed, and this particularly occurs when the heart is placed under stress.
Exhaustion
- When pressure is place on the heart, the flow of blood to the heart decreases, which can make someone feel fatigued and tired. When exhaustion is present, this could be a warning sign.
Fainting
- When the heart becomes damaged, the pressure of the blood drops and this decrease the flow of blood to the brain. In most instances, this can cause fainting and eventually result in a heart attack.