6 Heart Attack Signs You Must Know

A heart attack, medically known as myocardial infarction, happens when a portion of the heart muscle begins to die due to an insufficient supply of oxygen-rich blood. This shortage is typically caused by blockages in the coronary arteries, often due to cholesterol plaques or blood clots.

While around 90% of individuals survive their first heart attack, the remaining 10% may not, largely because of the extensive damage caused before they receive medical help.

Here are six key symptoms to watch out for:

# Sudden, Intense Chest Pain

One of the hallmark signs is a sudden, crushing pain in the center of the chest. It often feels like a heavy weight or twisting pressure, as if the heart is being squeezed tightly.
This pain—called angina—may last for several minutes and can subside if blood flow is restored. If not, it can rapidly spread to the arms, back, neck, or jaw.

# Jaw Pain or Toothache

This less typical but important symptom is more common in women. The pain may resemble a bad toothache or tightness in the jaw and can occur with or without chest pain.

# Sudden Shortness of Breath

Also known as dyspnea, this symptom may make the person feel as though they're struggling to breathe or gasping for air. It can precede chest pain or occur simultaneously and often feels like drowning or suffocation.

# Cold Sweats

Breaking out into a cold sweat for no clear reason can be alarming. When paired with other symptoms, it often signals a heart attack and frequently appears just before fainting.

# Nausea and Vomiting

Heart attacks can also trigger discomfort in the upper abdomen, leading to symptoms like severe heartburn, nausea, indigestion, and vomiting. This is due to the spreading of angina pain into the epigastric region.

# Pain Radiating to the Arm

Another classic sign is pain in the left arm, shoulder, or upper back. In some cases, the pain may radiate to the entire left side of the body—or even the right—depending on the severity and location of the blockage.