Symptoms of a Heart Attack


     Though there has been a decline in the death rate of coronary artery disease (CAD) in the past ten years, CAD continues to be the leading cause of death of women and men in the USA. About one of every 5 deaths in the USA is attributed to CAD and three fourths of these deaths are due to heart attack (myocardial infarction, MI). About one half of all people with heart attack will die within one hour of onset of symptoms. One of the major factors in determining a person’s outcome is the timeliness in which he or she receives appropriate therapy. It is vitally important to get to the hospital as soon as possible. The gold standard of treatment is therapy within one hour of symptoms.
     When symptoms occur that suggest a heart attack, time should not be wasted in trying to contact your primary care provider. Do not drive yourself or have your family drive you to the ER. EMS needs to be activated immediately by calling 911. These professionals can provide on-site life saving measures (clot busting drugs, CPR, and defibrillation) during transport.
     Angina is chest pain that is due to CAD. The pain is secondary to blockages in the arteries that supply the heart muscle. The heart muscle does not get the blood and oxygen that it needs - resulting in angina. Heart pain is often described as “a weight sitting on my chest,” “pressure,” “heavy,” and “crushing.” The pain is typically in the middle of the chest and can radiate to the neck and jaw. It can also spread down the inner portion of both arms (usually the left arm). Angina pain is very similar to the symptoms of a heart attack. The pain with a heart attack usually lasts 20-30 minutes though it can last up to several hours. Angina usually comes on with exertion. The pain of a heart attack can occur at rest. The person may awaken from sleep with chest pain. Most heart attacks occur between 6am and noon.
     Other important symptoms of heart attack are nausea and vomiting, perspiration, shortness of breath, and a sense of “impending doom.” Women tend not to have typical chest pain (“weight,” “crushing,” “pressure” and etc…) as described by men. They may present more with extreme fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath.
     Remember, if you are having symptoms suggestive of a heart attack, call 911 and get to the nearest hospital as soon as possible.