Heart Attack

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Heart Attack Symptoms & Signs

Chest pain behind the sternum (breastbone) is a major symptom of heart attack, but in many cases the pain may be subtle or even completely absent (called a "silent heart attack"), especially in the elderly and diabetics. Often, the pain radiates from your chest to your arms or shoulder; neck, teeth, or jaw; abdomen or back. Sometimes, the pain is only felt in one these other locations.

The pain typically lasts longer than 20 minutes and is generally not fully relieved by rest or nitrioglycerine, both of which can clear pain from angina.

The pain can be intense and severe or quite subtle and confusing. It can feel like:

• squeezing or heavy pressure
• a tight band on the chest
• "an elephant sitting on [your] chest"
• bad indigestion

Other symptoms you may have either alone or along with chest pain include:

• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Lightheadedness - dizziness
• Fainting
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sweating, which may be profuse
• Feeling of "impending doom"
• Anxiety