Signs and Symptoms

In people with heart disease, physical activity, emotional stress, and even eating can sometimes bring on symptoms. The most common, or classic, signs of a heart attack are:

• Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back
• Pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck or arms
• Chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath

Other less common warning signs of heart attack may include:

• Atypical chest pain, stomach or abdominal pain
• Nausea or dizziness (without chest pain)
• Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing (without chest pain)
• Unexplained anxiety, weakness or fatigue
• Palpitations, cold sweat or paleness

All of these signs don't occur in every attack. Sometimes they go away and return. If some occur, get help fast. If you notice one or more of these signs in someone else, don't wait. Call 9-1-1 or your emergency medical services so the person can get to a hospital right away.