Heart Attack Early Signs & Symptoms
Subtle symptoms can occur in the weeks and months before you experience a heart attack. These early warning signs occur in approximately half of heart attack patients. Learn what to look for and how to prevent damage to your heart muscle before it occurs.
Download Early Heart Attack Care information
Learn How to Save a Heart
Knowledge saves lives. Learn how to spot a heart attack, and what to do if someone you know is having one.
Know the Signs
If heart disease is detected early enough, treatment may help you avoid long-term damage. Look for the following warning signs of heart attack:
- Nausea
- Pain that travels down one or both arms
- Jaw pain
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Chest pressure, squeezing or discomfort
- Back pain
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling of fullness
- Indigestion
If you believe you are having a heart attack, dial 9-1-1 immediately.
If you experience one or more of these symptoms, talk to your primary care provider or schedule an appointment with a Clark Memorial heart specialist.
Heart Attack Statistics
- Heart disease causes approximately 1 of 4 deaths in the United States.
- About 50% of sudden cardiac deaths occur outside a hospital. This suggests that many people don’t act on early warning signs.
- Survey results show that only 27% of the respondents were aware of all major symptoms and knew to call 9-1-1.