More about heart attacks in the Health Library
Some heart attacks are experienced as sudden, intense pain in the chest. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. In addition, heart disease tends to manifest differently in women than in men, and often a woman may not be aware that her symptoms are related to her heart. Stomach or abdominal pain, nausea, heartburn or indigestion, as well as unexplained anxiety, are just a few of the symptoms that a woman suffering a heart attack may experience.
Possible Heart Attack Warning Signs (adapted from the American Heart Association 2005)
- uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in chest
- shortness of breath--may occur with or without chest discomfort
- cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness
- pain in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach
- swelling in ankles or legs
- a feeling of being bloated
- trouble breathing while lying down
- weight gain and/or a sense of being very tired
- note: heart attack symptoms often differ for men and women
REMEMBER: More than half of all heart attack deaths occur within the first hour after symptoms begin! So be sure to call 9.1.1 right away if you think you might be having a heart attack (rather than make the trip by car). You can start treatment up to an hour sooner if you call 9.1.1
