Heart attack symptoms: Know what signals a medical emergency

Know the symptoms of a heart attack so you can call for emergency assistance.
Heart attack symptoms vary widely. The symptoms you experience may be different from those experienced by a relative or neighbor. For instance, you may have only minor chest pain while someone else has excruciating pain. In addition, women often have different heart attack symptoms than do men.
One thing applies to everyone, though: If you suspect you're having a heart attack, call for emergency medical help immediately. Don't waste time trying to diagnose the symptoms yourself.Typical heart attack symptomsSymptom Description Chest discomfort or pain This discomfort or pain can feel like a tight ache, pressure, fullness or squeezing in the center of your chest lasting more than a few minutes. This discomfort may come and go.Upper body pain Pain or discomfort may spread beyond your chest to your shoulders, arms, back, neck, teeth or jaw. You may have upper body pain with no chest discomfort.Stomach pain Pain may extend downward into your abdominal area and may feel like heartburn.Shortness of breath You may pant for breath or try to take in deep breaths. This often occurs before you develop chest discomfort.Anxiety You may feel a sense of doom or feel as if you're having a panic attack for no apparent reason.Lightheadedness You may feel dizzy or feel like you might pass out.Sweating You may suddenly break into a sweat with cold, clammy skin.
Nausea and vomiting You may feel sick to your stomach or vomit.Common heart attack symptoms in womenWomen may have all, none, many or a few of the typical heart attack symptoms. For women, as for men, the most common symptom of a heart attack is some type of pain, pressure or discomfort in the chest. But women are more likely than are men to also have symptoms unrelated to chest pain, such as:* Neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back or abdominal discomfort* Shortness of breath* Nausea or vomiting
* Abdominal pain or "heartburn"* Sweating* Lightheadedness or dizziness* Unusual or unexplained fatigueHeart attack symptoms demand emergency helpSome heart attacks have the classic symptoms as portrayed on television or in the movies — where someone clutches their chest and writhes in excruciating pain. Not all heart attacks announce themselves so clearly, though. In fact, most heart attacks begin with much more subtle symptoms — with only mild pain or discomfort. And your symptoms may come and go. Don't be tempted to downplay your symptoms or brush them off as indigestion or anxiety.Getting treatment quickly improves your chance of survival and minimizes damage from a heart attack. Don't "tough out" these symptoms for more than five minutes. Call 911 or other emergency medical services for help. If you don't have access to emergency medical services, have someone drive you to the nearest hospital. Drive yourself only as a last resort, if there are absolutely no other options.

After Two Cardiac Arrests, Survivor Finally Gets a Diagnosis

It was the start of a family vacation for Katie Sutton, 31, her husband Rick and their three children. When Rick swerved to avoid an accident, Katie grabbed her chest and shouted "Oh my God!" She doesn't remember what happened next because she suffered cardiac arrest.
"I was down for 11 minutes without oxygen, on life support for four days and in the hospital for 17 days," recalls Katie, a Cleveland-area resident. But she recovered and assumed it was an isolated event.
It wasn't. In September 2008, while speaking at a meeting, Katie went into cardiac arrest again. She woke up at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, where Rick is a nurse who manages the noninvasive cardiology department. With help from a meeting attendee, he had saved Katie's life by administering CPR.
Katie's doctor diagnosed her with Long QT Syndrome (LQTS), an infrequent, often hereditary disorder of the heart's electrical rhythm. Either genetic or acquired, LQTS usually isn't discovered until one or more serious abnormal heart rhythms occur.
Katie's identical twin Kristen also has LQTS. Doctors have implanted them both with a cardioverter defibrillator, which delivers an electrical shock if the heart goes into a dangerous rhythm. They also take medication.
Katie Sutton and her sister
Katie, Kristen and their sisters have become involved in Go Red For Women, the American Heart Association's movement to help fight heart disease, the No. 1 killer of women. The women shared their stories at the 2009 Go Red Luncheon in Cleveland.
The American Heart Association funds research on LQTS and many other aspects of diagnosing and regulating abnormal heart rhythms. Said Katie, "I hope my story will make people aware of what an important role the American Heart Association plays in all of our lives." Your gift to the American Heart Association could help us fund the next big breakthrough or life saving discovery. Donate today to help people like Katie, get involved with one of our many causes, like Go Red for Women, or sign up to learn CPR.

If Your Child Has a Congenital Heart Defect

If your child is born with a heart defect today, the chances are better than ever that the problem can be overcome and that a normal life will follow. Recent progress in diagnosis and surgery makes it possible to fix most defects, even those once thought to be hopeless. As heart surgery continues to advance, scientists will develop operations for other defects.
After your child is diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, more tests may be needed. They'll help the children's heart specialist (pediatric cardiologist) and the surgeon decide whether an operation is a good idea. But before that point is reached, you can learn a lot to make the best use of the help available to you.
No two children are exactly alike. Your doctor can advise you about your child's specific heart defect. This site can help you understand what your doctor says. It will also tell you what to expect about tests your child may need, stays in the hospital, surgery and recovery at home.
Consult these sections for additional information:
How a Cardiologist Diagnoses Heart Defects
Your Child's Special Needs
Medical Treatment
Heart Defects
Glossary

Diseases, Conditions and Treatments

The two types of heart disease in children are "congenital" and "acquired." Congenital heart disease (also known as a congenital heart defect) is present at birth. Some defects in this category are patent ductus arteriosis, atrial septal defects and ventricular septal defects. Acquired heart disease, which develops during childhood, includes Kawasaki disease, rheumatic fever and infective endocarditis. Common diagnostic tests for these diseases are explained here.
About 36,000 children are born with a heart defect each year. Most of these children can benefit from surgery even if the defect is severe. When surgery is necessary, many medical treatments are available to help the heart work properly. There is nothing that parents could have done to prevent these defects. Learn about conditions that can interfere with the work of the heart and treatment options in this section.Kawasaki disease is an example of acquired heart disease that occurs primarily in children who are 5 or younger. Although medical knowledge of the disease is still developing, you can take steps to recognize the symptoms and deal with the disease's effects.Nine of every 1,000 infants born each year have a heart defect. About 650,000 to 1.3 million Americans with cardiovascular defects are alive today. Though research is ongoing, at least 35 defects have now been identified.