A heart attack happens when an artery that feeds oxygen-rich blood to the heart becomes obstructed. The heart muscle begins to die, and heart attack symptoms begin. Show
Call 911 immediately if you experience the following heart attack symptoms for two minutes or more:
Symptoms Can Be Different for Men and WomenMen and women experience heart attack symptoms in slightly different ways. The main difference is how pain radiates.
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but most start slowly with mild pain and discomfort. Surviving a heart attack depends upon how well you recognize and react to these symptoms. Remember that "time is muscle." The sooner you receive medical care, the sooner heart muscle can be saved. What is Chest Pain?When medical professionals talk about chest pain, they're talking about the pain and discomfort that can be an early sign of heart attack. There are many ways to describe this pain, including tightness or unusual pressure in the center of the chest. While pain can radiate to the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw or back, people often mistake this pain for indigestion, which can be dangerous. Because heart attack symptoms in women can be so subtle, heart attacks in women frequently go unrecognized. Unfortunately, treatment is sought long after symptoms are initially felt. If you're experiencing the heart attack symptoms listed here, call 911 immediately. Most chest pain is not a sign of anything serious but you should get medical advice just in case. Get immediate medical help if you think you're having a heart attack. You have sudden chest pain that:
You could be having a heart attack. Call 999 immediately as you need immediate treatment in hospital. Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:
It's important to get medical advice to make sure it's nothing serious. Common causes of chest painChest pain has many different causes. In most cases, chest pain is not caused by a heart problem. Your symptoms might give you an idea of the cause. Don't self-diagnose – see a GP if you're worried. Possible causes
Chest pain and heart problemsThe most common heart problems that cause chest pain include:
You're more likely to have heart problems if you're older or know you're at risk of coronary heart disease. For example, if you:
Page last reviewed: 14 August 2020 How do you know if left shoulder pain is heart related?The main difference is how pain radiates. For men: Pain will spread to the left shoulder, down the left arm or up to the chin. For women: Pain can be much more subtle. It may travel to the left or right arm, up to the chin, shoulder blades and upper back — or to abdomen (as nausea and/or indigestion and anxiety).
When should I worry about chest and shoulder pain?Call 911 or emergency medical assistance
Shoulder pain accompanied by difficulty breathing or a sense of tightness in the chest may be a symptom of a heart attack and requires immediate medical attention.
When should I worry about left side chest pain?Call 911 if you have any of these symptoms along with chest pain: A sudden feeling of pressure, squeezing, tightness, or crushing under your breastbone. Chest pain that spreads to your jaw, left arm, or back. Sudden, sharp chest pain with shortness of breath, especially after a long period of inactivity.
Why is the left side of my chest and left arm hurting?Simultaneous chest and arm pain could be signs of something as temporary and mild as a muscle strain or as serious as a heart attack. Noting the type of pain is important in deciding whether to see a doctor immediately. If the pain is more of a burning sensation during or after a meal, it may be heartburn.
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