(HealthDayNews) --In the movies, a heart attack victim often clutches his heart and falls to the floor. In real life, the discomfort and other symptoms aren't always that dramatic.
Many heart attacks start slowly, as a mild pain or discomfort. Someone who feels such a warning sign may not be sure what is wrong and may be so slow to seek help that real, lasting damage could result.
Here are some common warning signs
- Chest Discomfort: Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that last for more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. The discomfort can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain.
- Discomfort in Other Areas of the Upper Body: This symptom often comes along with chest discomfort, but it also can occur before.
- Shortness of Breath: This symptom often comes along with chest discomfort, but it, too, can occur before .
- Other Signs: These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, weakness, dizziness, or light-headedness.
If you or someone you are with begins to have chest discomfort, especially with one or more of the other signs of a heart attack, call 911 immediately. The time spent between when symptoms appear and medical help is administered could mean the difference between life and death.
