Signs of a Heart Attack
MI / Myocardial Infarction

STROKE HEART ATTACK
What is Heart Attack?
Heart Resources

CALL 911 NOW!  IF YOU BELIEVE YOU OR SOMEONE WITH YOU IS HAVING A HEART ATTACK, DO NOT WAIT.  DO NOT DRIVE YOURSELF TO THE HOSPITAL. THERE IS EARLY TREATMENT FOR HEART ATTACK THAT CAN MINIMIZE HEART DAMAGE.


Why this site?

I am not a physician, but, rather, a dentist.  I have a few medical Internet domain names and this is one of them.  I noticed that many people logged onto this address and had the thought that, if someone needed this information,  They would need it fast. Disclaimer: This site is for your information and is not a substitute for medical care.  Death or Heart damage can often be prevented if the patient gets to an emergency room fast.  That is the message of this site.  Links to more comprehensive information are included.  Ads in the margins of this site are not endorsed by me.  I do not know what ads will appear from time to time.
     Thanks for visiting! Dr. Lynne Heckert

Heart Attack Signs

Chest pain behind the sternum (breastbone) is a major symptom of heart attack, but in many cases the pain may be subtle or even completely absent (called a "silent heart attack"), especially in the elderly and those with diabetes. Often, the pain radiates from your chest to your arms or shoulder; neck, teeth, or jaw; abdomen or back. Sometimes, the pain is only felt in one these other locations.
The pain typically lasts longer than 20 minutes and is not fully relieved by rest or nitroglycerine, both of which can relieve pain from angina.
The pain can be intense and severe or quite subtle and confusing. It can feel like:

  • squeezing or heavy pressure
  • a tight band on the chest
  • "an elephant sitting on [your] chest"
  • bad indigestion
Other symptoms you may have either alone or along with chest pain include:
  • Shortness of breath
  • Cough
  • Lightheadedness - dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Sweating, which may be profuse
  • Feeling of "impending doom"
(Source: Medline Plus)

Symptoms may include sudden extreme fatigue.  When unsure, call 911. Better to be safe than sorry. 

Women and Heart Attack

Women account for half of all heart attack deaths, yet women are more likely to not believe they are having a heart attack.  Chest pain should be treated just as seriously by women and their doctors as it is in men. Women are more likely to experience atypical symptoms, heart attack without chest pain or, sometimes, just extreme fatigue.


© 2005-2007 Lynne Heckert, DDS, JD  All rights reserved.  No portion of this or any Dakini Net site  may be used without express written permission.
Photo; Fred Goldstein, BigStockPhoto.com
Please remember that this information on this site is not all-inclusive and it may or may not apply to your situation and you need to call your own physician or go to an ER if you need medical help.  Thanks for visiting!

Also see
Signs of a Stroke