Early Heart Attack Symptoms

Early heart attack symptoms can be subtle but life-threatening. Learn how to recognize the warning signs, including symptoms that may differ for men and women, and when to seek emergency care.

What Is EHAC?

Early Heart Attack Care (or EHAC) education teaches you to recognize the early signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Why? We want you to be an active bystander so you can save a life - even if it’s yours.

Learn the Early Signs & Symptoms of a Heart Attack

Feeling of fullness
Pain that travels down one or both arms
Jaw pain
Excessive fatigue or weakness
Anxiety
Nausea or vomiting
Back pain
Shortness of breath
Chest pressure, squeezing, aching, or burning

Men’s vs. Women’s Symptoms

Some heart attack symptoms can be different between men and women. Why does it matter? Women may be less likely to seek immediate medical care, which can cause more damage to the heart.

Men normally feel pain and numbness in the left arm or side of the chest, but in women, these symptoms may appear on the right side.
Women may feel completely exhausted, drained, dizzy, or nauseous
Women may feel upper back pain that travels up into their jaw
Women may think their stomach pain is the flu, heartburn, or an ulcer

What Are Atypical Heart Attack Presentations?

In an atypical presentation, the signs and symptoms are different. How? The patient may not complain about pain or pressure in the chest. Be alert for the following:

A sharp or “knife-like” pain that occurs with coughing or breathing
Pain that spreads above the jawbone or into the lower body
Difficult or labored breathing

IHS is committed to providing patients with everything they need to identify heart attack symptoms as early as possible so they can seek fast treatment. If you or someone you know is experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack call 911 immediately.