Heart Attack Symptoms & Care

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While some heart attacks happen suddenly, many begin more slowly and give warning signs.

If you think you may be having a heart attack, call 911 immediately so responders can start treatment and take you to the emergency room as fast as possible.

Heart Attack Symptoms

  • Chest discomfort: Pressure, squeezing, a feeling of fullness or pain in the center of the chest lasting more than several minutes or happening on and off.
  • Upper body discomfort: Pain or uncomfortable sensations in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach.
  • Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort.
  • Other symptoms, such as a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

Men and women most commonly experience chest discomfort or pain, but women are somewhat more likely to have shortness of breath, nausea and/or vomiting and pain in the back or jaw.

Time Makes the Difference

As a specialty cardiac center, the Overlake Emergency Department provides rapid, expert care that saves lives. 

We far exceed the national standard of 90 minutes for surgical heart attack intervention to open a blocked artery with a balloon-tipped catheter. Our team has met that goal in as little as 22 minutes and generally achieves it within 60 minutes.

If you think it may be a heart attack, don’t delay. Call 911 now!