Heart attack

A heart attack generally causes chest pain for more than 15 minutes. The pain may be mild or severe. Some heart attacks happen suddenly. But sometimes warning symptoms happen hours or days in advance. A heart attack also is called a myocardial infarction.

Heart attack symptoms may include:

• Chest pain that may feel like pressure, tightness, pain, squeezing or aching.
• Pain or discomfort that spreads to the shoulder, arm, back, neck, jaw, teeth or sometimes the upper belly.
• Shortness of breath.
• Cold sweats.
• Fatigue.
• Lightheadedness or sudden dizziness.
• Heartburn.
• Nausea.

In women, chest pain is not always severe or even the most noticeable symptom. Women tend to have more-general symptoms, such as nausea or a brief or sharp pain felt in the neck, arm or back. These symptoms may be more intense than the chest pain.

If you or someone else may be having a heart attack, follow these first-aid steps:

• Call 911 or emergency medical help. Don't ignore the symptoms of a heart attack. If you can't get an ambulance or emergency vehicle to come to you, have someone drive you to the nearest hospital. Drive yourself only if you have no other option.
• Take aspirin, if recommended. Taking aspirin during a heart attack may reduce heart damage. Don't take an aspirin unless your healthcare professional or emergency medical operator says to do so. Don't wait to call 911 so you can take an aspirin. Call for emergency help first.
• Take nitroglycerin, if prescribed. If you think you're having a heart attack and you have a prescription for this medicine, take it as directed while waiting for emergency medical help. Don't take anyone else's nitroglycerin.
• Start CPR if the person doesn't have a pulse or isn't breathing. If you are not trained in CPR, do hands-only CPR. That means push hard and fast on the person's chest about 100 to 120 times a minute. If you're trained in CPR and confident in your skills, start with 30 chest compressions before giving two rescue breaths.
• Use an automated external defibrillator (AED) if one is nearby and the person is not conscious. The machine gives shocks when needed to help the heart beat the correct way. An AED gives clear voice instructions. The machine gives shocks only when it's safe and needed.