Symptoms of Heart Attack

Call 112 or 102 immediately if you or someone near you has these symptoms. Do not drive yourself to hospital.

Symptoms may start suddenly or build over minutes to hours. Early treatment saves heart muscle and lives.

Common symptoms

• Pressure, tightness, squeezing or heaviness in the centre or left of the chest, lasting more than a few minutes or coming and going
• Pain spreading to the left arm, both arms, shoulder, neck, jaw, back or upper belly
• Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort
• Cold sweat
• Nausea or vomiting
• Light-headedness or fainting
• Unusual tiredness or a sense of doom

Women, older adults and people with diabetes

These groups are more likely to have symptoms other than classic chest pain, such as breathlessness, indigestion-like pain, nausea, back or jaw pain, and unusual fatigue. A "silent" heart attack with few symptoms can occur, particularly with diabetes.

Do not dismiss it as gas or acidity

Upper belly discomfort with sweating or breathlessness may be a heart attack. If in doubt, get checked right away.

If someone collapses

If they are unresponsive and not breathing normally, call 112 or 102, start chest compressions in the centre of the chest at a fast, steady rate, and use an automated defibrillator if one is available.

Key point

Time is heart muscle. Every minute of delay can mean more permanent damage. Do not wait for symptoms to pass.

Before your appointment

Bring all your reports, ECGs and medicine strips, and a list of every medicine and supplement you take, including herbal products. Note when symptoms occurred, what brought them on and how long they lasted. Share your family history of heart disease, and your smoking, alcohol, diabetes and blood pressure history. Ask about cardiac rehabilitation and the warning signs that mean you should call 112 or 102.