A heart attack (myocardial infarction) happens when blood flow to the heart is blocked, often due to plaque buildup in the arteries. Recognizing the early symptoms of a heart attack can save your life. Many people ignore mild warning signs, but acting quickly can reduce damage to the heart and improve survival rates.
This article highlights the top 10 symptoms of a heart attack that you should never ignore.
1. Chest Pain or Pressure (Angina)
One of the most common heart attack symptoms is chest pain, tightness, or discomfort. It may feel like pressure, squeezing, or burning in the center or left side of the chest. This pain can last for a few minutes or come and go.
2. Shortness of Breath
If you feel short of breath even when resting or doing light activities, it could be a sign of heart failure or a heart attack. This happens because the heart struggles to pump blood effectively, leading to oxygen deprivation in the body.
3. Pain in the Arm, Neck, Jaw, or Back
Many people associate heart attacks with chest pain, but discomfort can also radiate to the left arm, neck, jaw, shoulders, or upper back. This is because heart attack pain can spread through nerve pathways.
4. Nausea, Indigestion, or Stomach Pain
Some people experience heartburn, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain before or during a heart attack. This symptom is more common in women and can be mistaken for digestive issues.
5. Cold Sweats and Dizziness
Sudden cold sweats, lightheadedness, or dizziness may indicate that the heart isn’t pumping blood properly. If you feel faint for no reason, especially with other symptoms, seek medical help immediately.
6. Fatigue and Weakness
Feeling extremely tired or weak without an obvious reason can signal an impending heart attack. This symptom is particularly common in women and can appear days or even weeks before the event.
7. Irregular Heartbeat (Arrhythmia)
A heart that beats too fast, too slow, or irregularly could be a warning sign of an impending heart attack. Arrhythmias can cause palpitations, chest discomfort, or even fainting.
8. Swelling in the Legs, Feet, or Ankles
Fluid retention due to a struggling heart can cause swelling (edema) in the lower extremities. This can also indicate heart failure, which may lead to a heart attack.
9. Difficulty Sleeping (Insomnia)
Some heart attack survivors report experiencing trouble sleeping, restlessness, or anxiety in the weeks leading up to the event. If you have persistent sleep problems along with other symptoms, it’s worth discussing with a doctor.
10. Feeling of Impending Doom
Many people describe an unexplained feeling of anxiety, dread, or doom before a heart attack. This could be the body’s way of signaling a serious problem, even before obvious symptoms appear.
Final Thoughts
Heart attacks can happen suddenly, but they often come with warning signs. If you experience any of these symptoms—especially in combination—seek medical help immediately. The faster you act, the better the chances of survival and recovery.