Possible heart-attack symptoms can include chest pressure, squeezing or pain; discomfort spreading to an arm, shoulder, back, neck or jaw; shortness of breath; sweating; nausea; or lightheadedness.
Symptoms can also be less typical than people expect, particularly in women, older adults, and people with diabetes.
If symptoms suggest a heart attack—especially chest pressure or pain with breathlessness, sweating, nausea, faintness, or radiating discomfort—seek emergency medical care immediately. Don’t wait to see whether it passes.
What You Can Do Before There Is an Emergency
Prevention is much more reliable than trying to predict a heart attack from symptoms.
Regular medical care can identify major cardiovascular risks such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Avoiding smoking, staying physically active as appropriate, getting adequate sleep, and following a balanced diet can also reduce cardiovascular risk.
