What does the onset of a heart attack feel like?

[ThomWV]

Not to get worried, I'm just wondering. What's it feel like when that first one comes on?

[Greyskye]

1. my understanding is that it is quite similar to heartburn

(acid reflux). Get checked out now if you're concerned.

[Midlodemocrat]

2. If you are asking us, you need to go to the ER pronto.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

3. There are lots of symptoms

Shortness of breath
Severe pain in the chest the radiates to the extremities
Lightheadedness, Nausea
Panic

Note that in women, these symptoms can be much milder and can often be misdiagnosed as a virus or the flu. If you have a family history and get these symptoms, best go to an urgent care if you can, or call an ambulance if you're not able to drive yourself.

[pitohui]

10. my dad (not a woman) thought it was a flu/bad reaction to a flu shot

flulike symptoms are not unknown in men, they did some kind of enzyme test and were able to show that the cause was a heart attack

if the symptoms are shortness of breath and nausea, without the pain, you can see how it would be easy to not realize it was your heart

as the other poster says, this kind of hidden heart attack is more common in women tho

[CBHagman]

4. It varies according to the person and can be misdiagnosed.

Part of the danger is that a heart attack's symptoms can mimic many other ailments. If you have any concern that what you are/anyone is experiencing is a heart attack, go the emergency room first and worry about insurance questions later.

In my case, I had noticed shortness of breath and fatigue generally, but nothing out of the ordinary.

When it hit, I had an ache in both wrists and also felt uncomfortably warm all over. On top of that came nausea and a general feeling of weakness. I went very pale, too.

When I realized lying down didn't lessen any of the symptoms, off I went to the hospital, and it was a good thing, too. But they were also puzzled and took a while to figure out what was happening.

On edit:

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3053

But don't just check the American Heart Association's list of symptoms. I think the world of the AHA, of course, but bear in mind that symptoms don't always match up. Again, NO ONE had ever told me that a wrist ache could indicate anything other than carpal tunnel syndrome. In fact, one of my friends told me that if she'd had my symptoms, she'd simply have gone home to bed. :scared:

[gizmonic]

7. "...if she'd had my symptoms, she'd simply have gone home to bed"

That's exactly what my dad did -- he thought he could sleep it off.

I still can't believe he did that! :mad:

:hug: to you for listening to your body!

[gizmonic]

5. It's funny I should read this today. It's the 1st anniversary of my dad's heart attack today

This is what I witnessed first hand:

Out of breath/inability to catch breath
Doubled over
Extreme pain in upper chest/shoulder area
Heartburn/acid reflux
Feeling weak/looking pale

Then he collapsed.

Some symptoms may vary, or course. But if you're incapacitated, feeling weak, PLEASE CALL 911!!!!

My dad had 99% blockage in 5 arteries -- his doctor called it a "widowmaker"

He had successful open heart surgery at the Cleveland Clinic on March 1st, 2007.

I saw him 24 hours after the surgery. He was up and about in the recovery wing flirting with the nurses. Doctors recommend that the patient get back on his feet asap.

I'm extremely grateful because his quality of life is fantastic now.

[VenusRising]

6. My husband has told me that

it feels like having a really sharp tortilla chip stuck in your esophagus.

[sarge43]

8. Anything from mild referred pain somewhere in the body to chest crusher.

Depends upon the kind of MI. For most it feels like severe indigestion or gall bladder attack.

[Shell Beau]

9. I have no idea and hope to never know! Go to the ER; don't take any chances.

[Mugu]

11. Dad had a pain in his butt, at the top of his jeans pocket.

He wasn't one to complain so I took he to the Emergency Room. He collapsed in the waiting area and for all practical purposes was dead before they could get him to the emergency room. Dad was never one to waste time once he decided to do something.

Regards, Mugu

[redqueen]

12. These threads scare me.

I have weird symptoms like that frequently. I live nowhere near an ER.

Oh well!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

13. My dear redqueen...

Well, sweetie...

The next time you have a routine checkup, mention this little fact to your doctor...

Different kinds of studies can be done that would show if indeed, you'd ever had a heart attack...

Please take care of yourself, OK?

:hug:

[redqueen]

14. Routine checkup?

Yes... I suppose I should consider one of those. :dunce:

Thanks, Peggy... you're the best! :hug:

[Shell Beau]

15. On edit: That is a pretty personal question. Just want to you be healthy!!!!

:)

[redqueen]

20. Hahahahahahahaha...

I wasn't quite sure what to say to that! :rofl:

I was trying to thik of a witty response... but I failed.

:D

[Shell Beau]

22. Well you know, I forget that not everyone is as un-shy as I am about

that. It has become so routine for me.

And I did just make up that word un-shy! I think it sounds nice! :P

[halobeam]

17. I know what you mean!

I'm so stressed out lately, this thread is creating anxiety for me. No kidding. It's scary to think minor things we feel could mean something so serious. As a woman at 45yrs of age, I sometimes take aspirin "just in case" I'm having more than major anxiety and heartburn from something I may have eaten, or just caused by stress. It's a tough call.

I'm glad I went into this thread though, because I'm such a lousy smoker to add (I should note, I've made a few very serious attempts at quitting), that I should get a test to make sure things aren't more serious. There is a test to check the carotid artery also, and I've been thinking of getting that one too.

There's been a lot of air time covering womens heart health lately. Maybe you and I both should just go for it! What do you say?!

[redqueen]

21. I'm in!

By the end of March... that's all I can guarantee. I'm a expert procrastinator. :)

[halobeam]

24. that works for me too, redqueen!

Let's keep in touch! I'm bookmarking this thread. Good luck to you!:toast:

[crim son]

16. My husband had two mild heart attacks when he was not yet

forty years old. His symptoms: pressure. No pain. He kept telling me that it felt like somebody was sitting on his chest.

[Spacemom]

18. My father's pain

presented as a toothache. Go figure.

Get yourself checked if you're the least bit concerned. :hug:

[Ptah]

19. Just 1 in 4 Know Heart Attack Signs

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=4325610


The Associated Press
By MIKE STOBBE AP Medical Writer
ATLANTA Feb 21, 2008 (AP)
Font Size

Only about 1 in 4 Americans know the warning signs of a heart attack
and what to do first, according to a new government report.

That's a decline in knowledge since the last survey in 2001,
which showed nearly 1 in 3 to be well informed.


The study's lead author, Dr. Jing Fang, called public awareness in
the new survey "alarmingly low." Fang is with the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, which surveyed residents of 13 states and the District of Columbia.

Heart attack warning signs can include one or more of the following five symptoms:
shortness of breath;
pain or discomfort in the chest;
discomfort in the arms or shoulder;
a feeling of weakness or lightheadedness;
and discomfort in the jaw, neck or back.

[CBHagman]

23. Saddest of all...

... is the speculation that Americans may avoid going to the emergency room due to concern about costs. :cry:

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/heart-and-cardiovascular/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100194884>1=10910

[Beer Snob-50]

25. I had a minor one a few years back

and the one symptom I had was an unusual shortness of breath. I was out walking with my wife and I actually had to stop and call for a ride home.