Heart Attack Symptoms

Knowing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack or stroke can mean the difference between a full recovery and long term disability. When you recognize the signs you should act promptly and seek medical attention by calling 911. Tell them you are having symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.

Call 911.

It may save your life or the life of your loved one.

911 HEART ATTACK WARNING SIGNS

• Discomfort in the chest that can feel like squeezing, pressure, fullness or pain. Learn more about chest pain.
• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Other symptoms may include shortness of breath, nausea, lightheadedness or breaking out in a cold sweat.

ADDITIONAL SYMPTOMS FOR WOMEN

Women are somewhat more likely to experience the following symptoms with or without chest discomfort, and often during exertion:

• Unexplained fatigue
• A feeling of anxiety, panic or doom

911 STROKE WARNING SIGNS

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination.
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Symptoms

• Leg or hip pain during walking that stops at rest.
• Numbness, tingling or weakness in the legs.
• Burning or aching pain in feet or toes at rest.
• Sore on leg or foot that will not heal.
• Cold legs or feet.
• Color change in skin of legs or feet.
• Loss of hair on legs.

When to Call 911: Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack

It's important to recognize the signs and symptoms of heart attack, and to know that symptoms may differ between men and women. For instance, women may feel shortness of breath, extreme fatigue or a sense of bad indigestion, but they do not recognize these symptoms as cardiac-related.

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of both men and women in the United States. In fact, cardiovascular disease is the third leading cause of death for women ages 25-44.  

The following symptoms are common to both men and women. If you experience any of these, alone or in combination, you may be having a heart attack:

• Chest pain, uncomfortable pressure or squeezing that lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and returns. Typical symptoms go away with rest.
• Shortness of breath.
• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Nausea, dizziness, breaking out in a cold sweat.
• Unexplained feelings of anxiety, fatigue or weakness.

Don't hesitate. Call 911 for an ambulance. Tell them you suspect you are having a heart attack and to take you to Mercy’s Emergency Department.