Heart Attack Warning Signs

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A heart attack can occur at any time - and they are not always sudden and intense. The Society of Chest Pain Centers reports that 50% of sudden cardiac deaths occur outside of a hospital, suggesting that many people do not act on early warning signs. Knowing and recognizing the warning signs of a heart attack can save a life. When it comes to your heart, every minute matters.

If you or someone you love is experiencing any symptoms or signs of a heart attack, call 9-1-1 immediately and go directly to the emergency room.

Many heart attacks start slowly with only mild pain or discomfort. Some people do not experience chest pain (also known as angina) but instead have other symptoms. Heart attack symptoms can include:

Chest Discomfort

• Uncomfortable pressure, heaviness
• Squeezing, tightness
• Discomfort lasts more than two minutes, may come and go

Discomfort In Other Areas Of The Upper Body

• One or both arms
• Back, neck or jaw
• Stomach or abdomen

Other Signs (With Or Without Chest Discomfort)

• Shortness of breath
• Cold sweat
• Nausea, vomiting
• Light-headedness
• Extreme weakness/fatigue

Many women notice warning signs of a heart attack but choose to ignore them. Participants in an American Heart Association study said they hesitated to call for help because they were uncertain if the signs were serious, they thought they could treat themselves, or they were simply too busy with family demands.

Although men and women may experience common heart attack symptoms, the symptoms of a heart attack in women may include the following signs, some which are unique to women:

• Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of the chest that lasts several minutes or goes away and comes back
• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
• A cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness
• Nausea and/or vomiting

Have Chest Pain? Call 911!

Because every minute counts when having a heart attack, getting to the emergency room as quickly as possible is important. Unfortunately, more than 50 percent of all patients experiencing chest pain walk into the emergency department rather than calling 911. The fact remains that every minute counts, and calling 911 starts treatment earlier.

• 911 dispatchers are often trained to not only locate you quickly, but also assist you in early treatment options. In many areas of the country, emergency medical services (EMS) can diagnose a heart attack by using an electrocardiogram (ECG) and also initiate early treatment.
• Arriving by ambulance to the emergency department helps to ensure that you will not wait to be seen by a physician. Many patients who experience chest pain drive themselves, only to find that they may wait in the emergency department lobby until they can see a doctor. Do not let this happen to you.
• EMS is able to radio ahead to the emergency department that you are on your way. This enables the emergency staff to be ready for you when you arrive through their doors.

Sources

http://www.scai.org/SecondsCount/Disease/detail.aspx?cid=d1b1e0fe-ae2d-4cc4-96c7-02e944b7ed0d
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HeartAttack/WarningSignsofaHeartAttack/Heart-Attack-Symptoms-in-Women_UCM_436448_Article.jsp