Early Heart Attack Care
- Angina is not a heart attack, but if the angina pain is severe or prolonged, it can lead to a heart attack.
- Many heart attacks start slowly.
- Early signs and symptoms of a heart attack, such as mild chest pain or discomfort.
- The chest pain or discomfort may come and go.
- Pain may be confused with indigestion or heartburn.
- Severe pain in center of chest or throat that can be described as crushing, squeezing or heavy.
- Worst pain ever experienced.
- The pain can move into one or both arms, the left shoulder, neck, jaw or back.
Other symptoms of early heart attack include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Cold sweat
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness
- Light-headedness
- Severe anxiety
- Confusion
- Fainting
- Irregular heartbeats
Take the EHAC Oath and become an ambassador for early heart attack care!
Cardiovascular disease can begin long before heart attack symptoms appear. Managing controllable risk factors is key to prevention. Take our free assessment to get a personalized analysis of your heart disease risk.
Take an Online Heart Risk Assessment
Is pain the first sign of heart attack?
For most people having a heart attack, pain is considered an early symptom that can range in severity. However, not all individuals suffering from a heart attack have pain. Up to 20% do not feel pain with heart attack and those usually include:
The signs of early heart attack can occur hours or weeks before the actual heart attack. DO NOT WAIT; call 9-1-1 for help with any of the above signs of early heart attack.
SOURCES:
http://deputyheartattack.org/intro.html
http://www.medicinenet.com/heart_attack__symptoms_and_early_warning_signs/views.htm