If you have a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1.
Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction) is a Medical Emergency
If you think you may be experiencing a heart attack, call 9-1-1 immediately so that treatment can start as soon as possible. Do not drive yourself or wait for a ride from a friend or family member.
Designated Cardiac Receiving Centers
Heart Attack Signs or Symptoms May Include:
- Chest discomfort: Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
- Discomfort in other areas of the upper body: Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
- Shortness of breath: May occur with or without chest discomfort.
- Other signs: These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
Signs/symptoms compiled from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.
Additional Heart Attack Signs or Symptoms Common in Women May Include:
Although chest pain is the most common symptom of a heart attack, women often experience vague chest discomfort frequently described as pressure, burning, tightness or an aching.
- Heart palpitations or abnormally weak and/or rapid pulse
- Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting or a sick stomach
- Gray facial color
- Vomiting
- Indigestion
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Shoulder blade pain
- Change in migraine pattern, migraine with aura
If you or someone you're with has chest discomfort, especially with one or more of the other signs, call 9-1-1 right away.
Designated Cardiac Receiving Centers