What does a heart attack feel like? Here's when to visit the ER.
Chest pain can be a scary symptom. It's not always serious, but it can be a sign you're having a heart attack.
The issue, medical experts say, is that some patients experiencing chest pain don't want to make a bigger fuss than necessary, or believe their symptoms are less serious than they actually are.
"This is something I talk about with patients all the time: Many people worry about overreacting or don’t want to cause a scene," says cardiologist Jeffrey Boone, MD. "But when it comes to your heart, hesitation can be dangerous. ... Even if the symptoms seem mild or you’re not sure, get checked. If you’re asking yourself whether you should go, that’s usually your answer. It’s much better to be told everything is fine than to miss a serious problem."
Here's what medical experts say about heart attack symptoms and when they're worth a visit to the emergency room.
What does a heart attack feel like?
Common heart attack symptoms include pain or discomfort in the chest, jaw, neck, back, arms or shoulders, shortness of breath, lightheadedness or nausea or vomiting, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).
"If you’re having chest discomfort, especially with shortness of breath, pain that moves to your arm or jaw or a feeling that something just isn’t right, don’t wait," Boone says. "Call 911 or go to the emergency room. Do not try to drive yourself."
What does a heart attack feel like for women?
Chest pain or discomfort is the No. 1 symptom for both men and women; Boone notes that sometimes discomfort can feel like pressure or tightness, rather than sharp pain. But women in particular may experience anxiety, unusual tiredness and back, arm or shoulder pain. And women, along with older adults and those with diabetes, are more likely to experience "subtle signs like fatigue, indigestion or back pain," Boone adds.
"About half of people who suffer a fatal heart attack had no prior warning signs," Boone says. "But knowing the signs and reacting quickly could save you or your loved one's life. ... It doesn’t always feel dramatic, which is why it’s so important not to ignore anything that feels unusual."
What mimics a heart attack?
Heart attack symptoms can actually be symptoms of something else, though. That can make the decision to seek emergency care more difficult, because patients often don't want to cause a commotion over what turns out to be something as simple as a case of heartburn after dinner.
Other common conditions that may mimic heart attack symptoms include anxiety or panic attacks, a pulled chest muscle or gallbladder issues, Boone adds.
"The problem is that, without medical testing, it can be really difficult to tell the difference," Boone says. "Even trained physicians rely on EKGs, blood tests and imaging to know for sure. If you’re unsure, it’s always better to get evaluated right away."
Boone also stresses the importance of not waiting until figuring out there's an issue with your heart to do something about it.
"If you’re over 40, or younger but have risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or a family history of heart disease, it’s worth getting checked," he says. "The earlier we catch things, the more we can do. The best time to deal with heart disease is before it becomes a crisis."