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| Meta Title | What Are the Signs of a Heart Attack? How to Know If You're at Risk - Business Insider | |||||||||
| Meta Description | Major signs of a heart attack include chest heaviness and upper body discomfort. But there are also subtle signs and risk factors to look out for. | |||||||||
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| Boilerpipe Text | By
You may feel strong pain in the center to left side of your chest, but there are also more subtle signs of a heart attack.
Layla Bird/Getty Images
Feb 2, 2020, 8:49 PM GMT
The main signs of a heart attack are opressive discomfort or heaviness in the center of the chest, paired with discomfort in the neck, throat, jaw, and the left side of the chest or arm.
Women and older adults may experience subtler signs of a heart attack such as unusual fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, cold sweats, or indigestion.
If you feel these symptoms — especially if you also have common risk factors for a heart attack — you should call 911 and seek medical attention immediately.
This article was reviewed by
Steven Reisman, MD,
a cardiologist and the director of
New York Cardiac Diagnostic Center.
Visit Insider's homepage for more stories
.
In the US, someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds, according to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
. But contrary to popular belief, chest pain is not always present during a heart attack.
Here's what you need to know about the main warning signs and risk factors of a heart attack.
These are the main signs of a heart attack
According to
Purvi Parwani
, MD, and director of the Women's Heart Health Clinic at Loma Linda University International Heart Institute, you should seek medical attention immediately if experiencing the following symptoms:
An oppressive discomfort or heaviness in the chest, typically in the center of the chest.
Chest discomfort that is also paired with discomfort in other areas of the upper body, like the neck, throat, jaw, and left side of the chest and arm.
However, in women and older adults, the earliest symptoms are often more subtle than chest discomfort, says
Richard Wright
, MD, a cardiologist at Pacific Heart Institute.
Women are more likely to experience nausea, shortness of breath, indigestion, unusual fatigue, and cold sweats with a heart attack because they often
experience blockages in smaller blood vessels
, not just in their main arteries. They are also
typically older
when they have their first heart attack. Women experience their first heart attack at around age 72 whereas for men it's closer to 65.
How to know if you're at risk of a heart attack
Even before you experience any symptoms, there are a few key risk factors that may increase your likelihood of having a heart attack.
For example, g
rowing older
is associated with an increased build-up of plaque in the arteries, which leads to a greater risk of a heart attack. There are also many lifestyle factors associated with an increased risk of heart disease, like frequently
smoking
cigarettes or not
exercising
regularly.
Other conditions that may increase heart attack risk include:
Family history
of
heart disease
, with a father or brother who had a heart attack before the age of 55 and a mother or sister who had a heart attack before 65.
High cholesterol
causes
plaque
to build up on the walls of the arteries, which can lead to decreased blood flow and blocked arteries.
Hypertension
(
high blood pressure
), when left untreated, can damage your blood vessels and your heart.
Obesity
was recently linked with an increased risk for multiple heart attacks by a study published in the
European Journal of Preventative Cardiology
.
Diabetes
can damage blood vessels over time, and the
risk of heart disease increases
the longer you have diabetes.
Elevated levels of C-reactive protein
occur when there is inflammation in the body (often indicating a chronic disease) and can
increase your chance of heart attack by three times
.
That being said, it is entirely possible to have a heart attack without these traditional risk factors, according to Parwani.
And even though older people are more likely to have a heart attack, Parwani says that no one should assume they are too young — individuals under the age of 45 still account for 4% to 10% of all heart attacks in the US, according to
Harvard Men's Health Watch
.
"Generally, there is no difference [in symptoms] between younger and older individuals," Parwani says. However, older people with another disease like diabetes may be more likely to have a silent heart attack or one without any obvious symptoms.
If you're experiencing any symptoms of a heart attack — no matter how small — seek medical attention immediately. Wright recommends contacting a medical professional, going to an emergency room, or calling for paramedic assistance.
Related stories about
heart health
:
How hypertension, heart disease, and stroke are related
What causes high blood pressure and how to know if you have hypertension
How to lower blood pressure with a heart-healthy diet and exercise
7 of the most dangerous things that put you at risk of a heart attack
What is a good resting heart rate, for adults and kids
What is tachycardia, and when a high heart rate is dangerous
How to lower cholesterol with the right diet and exercise regimens
Read the original article on
INSIDER
.
Follow INSIDER on
Twitter
.
Health
Heart health
Read next | |||||||||
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# What are the signs of a heart attack? How to know if you're at risk
By [Mary Sauer](https://www.businessinsider.com/author/mary-sauer)
You may feel strong pain in the center to left side of your chest, but there are also more subtle signs of a heart attack. Layla Bird/Getty Images
Feb 2, 2020, 8:49 PM GMT
Share
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- **The main signs of a heart attack are opressive discomfort or heaviness in the center of the chest, paired with discomfort in the neck, throat, jaw, and the left side of the chest or arm.**
- **Women and older adults may experience subtler signs of a heart attack such as unusual fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, cold sweats, or indigestion.**
- **If you feel these symptoms — especially if you also have common risk factors for a heart attack — you should call 911 and seek medical attention immediately.**
- **This article was reviewed by [Steven Reisman, MD,](https://newyorkcardiac.com/dr-steven-reisman-cardiologist-nyc) a cardiologist and the director of [New York Cardiac Diagnostic Center.](https://newyorkcardiac.com/)**
- [Visit Insider's homepage for more stories](https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet).
In the US, someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds, according to the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention](https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm). But contrary to popular belief, chest pain is not always present during a heart attack.
Here's what you need to know about the main warning signs and risk factors of a heart attack.
## These are the main signs of a heart attack
According to [Purvi Parwani](https://lluh.org/provider/parwani-purvi), MD, and director of the Women's Heart Health Clinic at Loma Linda University International Heart Institute, you should seek medical attention immediately if experiencing the following symptoms:
- An oppressive discomfort or heaviness in the chest, typically in the center of the chest.
- Chest discomfort that is also paired with discomfort in other areas of the upper body, like the neck, throat, jaw, and left side of the chest and arm.
However, in women and older adults, the earliest symptoms are often more subtle than chest discomfort, says [Richard Wright](https://www.pacificheart.com/richard-f-wright-md), MD, a cardiologist at Pacific Heart Institute.
Women are more likely to experience nausea, shortness of breath, indigestion, unusual fatigue, and cold sweats with a heart attack because they often [experience blockages in smaller blood vessels](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-disease/art-20046167), not just in their main arteries. They are also [typically older](https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/the-heart-attack-gender-gap) when they have their first heart attack. Women experience their first heart attack at around age 72 whereas for men it's closer to 65.
## How to know if you're at risk of a heart attack
Even before you experience any symptoms, there are a few key risk factors that may increase your likelihood of having a heart attack.
For example, g[rowing older](https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/heart-health-and-aging) is associated with an increased build-up of plaque in the arteries, which leads to a greater risk of a heart attack. There are also many lifestyle factors associated with an increased risk of heart disease, like frequently [smoking](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/17488-smoking) cigarettes or not [exercising](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4241367/) regularly.
Other conditions that may increase heart attack risk include:
- **Family history** of [heart disease](https://www.ucihealth.org/blog/2017/02/family-history-heart-attacks), with a father or brother who had a heart attack before the age of 55 and a mother or sister who had a heart attack before 65.
- **High cholesterol** causes [plaque](https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/risk_factors.htm) to build up on the walls of the arteries, which can lead to decreased blood flow and blocked arteries.
- **Hypertension** ([high blood pressure](https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/risk_factors.htm)), when left untreated, can damage your blood vessels and your heart.
- **Obesity** was recently linked with an increased risk for multiple heart attacks by a study published in the [European Journal of Preventative Cardiology](https://www.escardio.org/The-ESC/Press-Office/Press-releases/Belly-fat-linked-with-repeat-heart-attacks)*.*
- **Diabetes** can damage blood vessels over time, and the [risk of heart disease increases](https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/heart-disease-stroke) the longer you have diabetes.
- **Elevated levels of C-reactive protein** occur when there is inflammation in the body (often indicating a chronic disease) and can [increase your chance of heart attack by three times](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4825196/).
That being said, it is entirely possible to have a heart attack without these traditional risk factors, according to Parwani.
And even though older people are more likely to have a heart attack, Parwani says that no one should assume they are too young — individuals under the age of 45 still account for 4% to 10% of all heart attacks in the US, according to [Harvard Men's Health Watch](https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/premature-heart-disease).
"Generally, there is no difference \[in symptoms\] between younger and older individuals," Parwani says. However, older people with another disease like diabetes may be more likely to have a silent heart attack or one without any obvious symptoms.
If you're experiencing any symptoms of a heart attack — no matter how small — seek medical attention immediately. Wright recommends contacting a medical professional, going to an emergency room, or calling for paramedic assistance.
# Related stories about [heart health](https://www.businessinsider.com/category/heart-health):
- **[How hypertension, heart disease, and stroke are related](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/conditions-symptoms/how-are-hypertension-heart-disease-and-stroke-related)**
- **[What causes high blood pressure and how to know if you have hypertension](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/conditions-symptoms/what-causes-high-blood-pressure)**
- **[How to lower blood pressure with a heart-healthy diet and exercise](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/treatments/how-to-lower-blood-pressure)**
- **[7 of the most dangerous things that put you at risk of a heart attack](https://www.businessinsider.com/what-causes-a-heart-attack-2019-3)**
- **[What is a good resting heart rate, for adults and kids](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/fitness/what-is-a-good-resting-heart-rate)**
- **[What is tachycardia, and when a high heart rate is dangerous](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/conditions-symptoms/what-is-tachycardia)**
- **[How to lower cholesterol with the right diet and exercise regimens](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/fitness/how-to-lower-cholesterol)**
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| Readable Markdown | By
You may feel strong pain in the center to left side of your chest, but there are also more subtle signs of a heart attack. Layla Bird/Getty Images
Feb 2, 2020, 8:49 PM GMT
- **The main signs of a heart attack are opressive discomfort or heaviness in the center of the chest, paired with discomfort in the neck, throat, jaw, and the left side of the chest or arm.**
- **Women and older adults may experience subtler signs of a heart attack such as unusual fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, cold sweats, or indigestion.**
- **If you feel these symptoms — especially if you also have common risk factors for a heart attack — you should call 911 and seek medical attention immediately.**
- **This article was reviewed by [Steven Reisman, MD,](https://newyorkcardiac.com/dr-steven-reisman-cardiologist-nyc) a cardiologist and the director of [New York Cardiac Diagnostic Center.](https://newyorkcardiac.com/)**
- [Visit Insider's homepage for more stories](https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet).
In the US, someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds, according to the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention](https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm). But contrary to popular belief, chest pain is not always present during a heart attack.
Here's what you need to know about the main warning signs and risk factors of a heart attack.
## These are the main signs of a heart attack
According to [Purvi Parwani](https://lluh.org/provider/parwani-purvi), MD, and director of the Women's Heart Health Clinic at Loma Linda University International Heart Institute, you should seek medical attention immediately if experiencing the following symptoms:
- An oppressive discomfort or heaviness in the chest, typically in the center of the chest.
- Chest discomfort that is also paired with discomfort in other areas of the upper body, like the neck, throat, jaw, and left side of the chest and arm.
However, in women and older adults, the earliest symptoms are often more subtle than chest discomfort, says [Richard Wright](https://www.pacificheart.com/richard-f-wright-md), MD, a cardiologist at Pacific Heart Institute.
Women are more likely to experience nausea, shortness of breath, indigestion, unusual fatigue, and cold sweats with a heart attack because they often [experience blockages in smaller blood vessels](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-disease/art-20046167), not just in their main arteries. They are also [typically older](https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/the-heart-attack-gender-gap) when they have their first heart attack. Women experience their first heart attack at around age 72 whereas for men it's closer to 65.
## How to know if you're at risk of a heart attack
Even before you experience any symptoms, there are a few key risk factors that may increase your likelihood of having a heart attack.
For example, g[rowing older](https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/heart-health-and-aging) is associated with an increased build-up of plaque in the arteries, which leads to a greater risk of a heart attack. There are also many lifestyle factors associated with an increased risk of heart disease, like frequently [smoking](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/17488-smoking) cigarettes or not [exercising](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4241367/) regularly.
Other conditions that may increase heart attack risk include:
- **Family history** of [heart disease](https://www.ucihealth.org/blog/2017/02/family-history-heart-attacks), with a father or brother who had a heart attack before the age of 55 and a mother or sister who had a heart attack before 65.
- **High cholesterol** causes [plaque](https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/risk_factors.htm) to build up on the walls of the arteries, which can lead to decreased blood flow and blocked arteries.
- **Hypertension** ([high blood pressure](https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/risk_factors.htm)), when left untreated, can damage your blood vessels and your heart.
- **Obesity** was recently linked with an increased risk for multiple heart attacks by a study published in the [European Journal of Preventative Cardiology](https://www.escardio.org/The-ESC/Press-Office/Press-releases/Belly-fat-linked-with-repeat-heart-attacks)*.*
- **Diabetes** can damage blood vessels over time, and the [risk of heart disease increases](https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/heart-disease-stroke) the longer you have diabetes.
- **Elevated levels of C-reactive protein** occur when there is inflammation in the body (often indicating a chronic disease) and can [increase your chance of heart attack by three times](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4825196/).
That being said, it is entirely possible to have a heart attack without these traditional risk factors, according to Parwani.
And even though older people are more likely to have a heart attack, Parwani says that no one should assume they are too young — individuals under the age of 45 still account for 4% to 10% of all heart attacks in the US, according to [Harvard Men's Health Watch](https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/premature-heart-disease).
"Generally, there is no difference \[in symptoms\] between younger and older individuals," Parwani says. However, older people with another disease like diabetes may be more likely to have a silent heart attack or one without any obvious symptoms.
If you're experiencing any symptoms of a heart attack — no matter how small — seek medical attention immediately. Wright recommends contacting a medical professional, going to an emergency room, or calling for paramedic assistance.
## Related stories about [heart health](https://www.businessinsider.com/category/heart-health):
- **[How hypertension, heart disease, and stroke are related](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/conditions-symptoms/how-are-hypertension-heart-disease-and-stroke-related)**
- **[What causes high blood pressure and how to know if you have hypertension](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/conditions-symptoms/what-causes-high-blood-pressure)**
- **[How to lower blood pressure with a heart-healthy diet and exercise](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/treatments/how-to-lower-blood-pressure)**
- **[7 of the most dangerous things that put you at risk of a heart attack](https://www.businessinsider.com/what-causes-a-heart-attack-2019-3)**
- **[What is a good resting heart rate, for adults and kids](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/fitness/what-is-a-good-resting-heart-rate)**
- **[What is tachycardia, and when a high heart rate is dangerous](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/conditions-symptoms/what-is-tachycardia)**
- **[How to lower cholesterol with the right diet and exercise regimens](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/fitness/how-to-lower-cholesterol)**
*Read the original article on [INSIDER](http://www.thisisinsider.com/). Follow INSIDER on [Twitter](https://www.twitter.com/thisisinsider).*
- [Health](https://www.businessinsider.com/category/health "Health")
- [Heart health](https://www.businessinsider.com/category/heart-health "Heart health")
Read next | |||||||||
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| Content Metadata | ||||||||||
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| Author | Henry Blodget | |||||||||
| Publish Time | not set | |||||||||
| Original Publish Time | 2020-02-02 12:30:53 (6 years ago) | |||||||||
| Republished | No | |||||||||
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