Heart Attack Warning Signs

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Coronary heart disease is the number one killer in America. Most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. In fact, a lot of people aren't sure what is happening, and they wait too long to get help. Don't be one of them. Recognize the warning signs of a heart attack, and get help immediately. Warning signs include:

• Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back. The discomfort can be pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath, which often accompanies chest discomfort. It can, however, occur before chest discomfort.
• Breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

If you or someone you're with experiences one of these symptoms, call 911 immediately or get to a hospital right away. Calling 911, however, is usually the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services personnel can begin treatment the moment they reach you, which could be up to an hour sooner than if you go to the hospital by car. EMS personnel are also trained to revive patients whose hearts have stopped. Chest pain patients who arrive at the hospital by ambulance usually receive faster treatment, too.

Many women notice warning signs of a heart attack but choose to ignore them. Participants in an American Heart Association study said they hesitated to call for help because they were uncertain if the signs were serious, they thought they could treat themselves, or they were simply too busy with family demands.

Although men and women may experience common heart attack symptoms, the symptoms of a heart attack in women may include the following signs, some which are unique to women:

• Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of the chest that lasts several minutes or goes away and comes back
• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
• A cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness
• Nausea and/or vomiting

Have Chest Pain? Call 911!

Because every minute counts when having a heart attack, getting to the emergency room as quickly as possible is important. Unfortunately, more than 50 percent of all patients experiencing chest pain walk into the emergency department rather than calling 911. The fact remains that every minute counts, and calling 911 starts treatment earlier.

• 911 dispatchers are often trained to not only locate you quickly, but also assist you in early treatment options. In many areas of the country, emergency medical services (EMS) can diagnose a heart attack by using an electrocardiogram (ECG) and also initiate early treatment.
• Arriving by ambulance to the emergency department helps to ensure that you will not wait to be seen by a physician. Many patients who experience chest pain drive themselves, only to find that they may wait in the emergency department lobby until they can see a doctor. Do not let this happen to you.
• EMS is able to radio ahead to the emergency department that you are on your way. This enables the emergency staff to be ready for you when you arrive through their doors.

Click here to take an online heart risk assessment to determine if you are at risk for a heart attack.

Source

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HeartAttack/WarningSignsofaHeartAttack/Heart-Attack-Symptoms-in-Women_UCM_436448_Article.jsp