Early symptoms
According to the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care, early heart attack symptoms occur in
50 percent of all people who have heart attacks.
Early symptoms of heart attack can include the following:
mild pain or discomfort in your chest that may come and go, which is also called
“stuttering” chest pain
pain in your shoulders, neck, and jaw
sweating
nausea or vomiting
lightheadedness or fainting
breathlessness
feeling of “impending doom”
severe anxiety or confusion
Symptoms of a heart attack in men
You’re more likely to experience a heart attack if you’re a man. Men also have heart attacks
earlier in life compared to women.
Symptoms of a heart attack in men include:
standard chest pain/pressure that feels like “an elephant” is sitting on your chest, with a
squeezing sensation that may come and go or remain constant and intense
upper body pain or discomfort, including arms, left shoulder, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
rapid or irregular heartbeat
stomach discomfort that feels like indigestion
shortness of breath, which may leave you feeling like you can’t get enough air, even
when you’re resting
dizziness or feeling like you’re going to pass out
breaking out in a cold sweat
Symptoms of a heart attack in women
