The symptoms of a heart attack aren't always obvious; they may be similar to those of indigestion, arthritis, or exertion. Knowing common heart attack symptoms and listening to your body is extremely important -- the earlier you're treated, the greater your chances of survival.
Most heart attacks exhibit known symptoms, the most well-known being a crushing pain, squeezing, or fullness in the center of the chest, which can cause pain to spread to the shoulder, arm, back, neck, and jaw. While this is a classic symptom, there are other signs that you may be having a heart attack that shouldn't be overlooked: dizziness, nausea, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, clammy sweats, heart fluttering, paleness, and fatigue or weakness with exertion.
If you think you could be having a heart attack, take action immediately. Being embarrassed if it isn't a cardiac event is much easier than risking your life, so don't be afraid to dial 911. In addition, taking a crushed or chewed full-strength aspirin with a glass of water will help thin your blood and may ease symptoms. You still need to seek medical care even if symptoms improve. When you have a heart attack, your heart isn't receiving adequate blood flow due to a blockage in your arteries, which causes part of your heart to die. Diagnosis and treatment are therefore absolutely essential.
