Symptoms of a Heart Attack

A heart attack happens when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is blocked, usually by a blood clot. Recognizing the symptoms quickly — and acting on them immediately — directly affects how much heart muscle is damaged.

The Classic Warning Signs

• Chest pain, pressure, squeezing, or fullness that may last more than a few minutes, or come and go
• Pain or discomfort spreading to one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach
• Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort
• Cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness

Symptoms Can Look Different in Women

Women having a heart attack are more likely than men to experience symptoms without prominent chest pain — including unusual fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, and back or jaw pain. These less "classic" presentations are a major reason heart attacks in women are sometimes recognized later than they should be.

Why "Wait and See" Is the Wrong Approach

Symptoms don't need to be severe or match every item on a list to be a heart attack — many people delay calling for help because their symptoms feel mild or come and go. Acting fast on any suspicion, rather than waiting for certainty, is the safer default.

What to Do

Call emergency services immediately, chew an aspirin only if one is available, you're not allergic to it, and a doctor hasn't told you to avoid aspirin (for example, due to a bleeding disorder or a blood-thinning medication), and stay as calm and still as possible while waiting for help to arrive.