Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:
Pain felt in the arms, neck, tooth, jaw or back
Tightness, burning, squeezing, or heaviness in the chest that lasts more than a few minutes OR goes away and then returns — sometimes called the “elephant sitting on my chest” feeling
Chest discomfort with fainting, lightheadedness, nausea, shortness of breath or sweating
Other warning signs to watch for include:
Unusual pain in the chest, abdomen or stomach
Fast or uneven heartbeat or pulse
Sweating for no reason; pale, gray or clammy skin
Any new or worsening chest pain (for example, any pain that lasts longer or occurs more frequently)
Signs of a heart attack that are more commonly experienced by women include an uneasy feeling in the chest along with:
Unexplained or extreme anxiety
Unusual fatigue or weakness
Fluttering heartbeats
Severe indigestion (for which an antacid doesn’t help)
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