Signs of Heart Attack
Sometimes heart attacks are sudden and there is no doubt what is happening, but those are the minority. Most heart attacks begin slowly with very mild discomfort and pain. The biggest mistake is when people aren't sure and they wait too long to seek help. If you or anyone you know has the following symptoms, seek help immediately:
Chest discomfort such as uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes, or that comes and goes
Discomfort in other areas of the upper body including pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach
Shortness of breath
A cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness
Women are more likely to have some of the other common symptoms, in particular back or jaw pain, shortness of breath, nausea, and vomiting. Even if you are not sure, it's wise to call 911. If you are not able to access Emergency Medical Services (EMS), have someone else drive you to the hospital immediately. Never drive yourself unless there is no other option.
Are the symptoms of a heart attack the same for both men and women?
Women have the same symptoms as men but, are more prone to also have back or jaw pain, shortness of breath, nausea, and vomiting. You need to seek immediate medical help for any symptoms, not just the “classic” symptoms of a heart attack.
What Is Happening?
The heart functions both mechanically and electrically. It pumps blood by contracting, which you are able to feel as a pulse — the mechanical function. The heart also has cells that regulate the mechanical system by transmitting electrical signals through conduction pathways, stimulating the muscle tissue to contract — the electrical function. The rate of electrical stimulation or pulses normally correlates with the rate of heart-muscle contractions or beats, and should be between 60 and 80 times per minute at rest, increasing with exertion.
The pumping chambers of the heart are the ventricles. If they suddenly stop effectively contracting and pumping blood into the body, Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) occurs. The heart then has a disorganized and abnormal rhythm and spasmodic twitching called “ventricular fibrillation” (VF) that is ineffective in pumping blood to the body. The person in VF or V fib usually has no pulse because the heart is not pumping blood, and they will then become unresponsive, stop breathing, and die within minutes without intervention.
