2-4

[Previous] [Next]

2-4. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A HEART ATTACK

A myocardial infarction can happen to either males or females, old or young, and not necessarily during physical or emotional stress. A person experiencing the early signs and symptoms of a heart attack may not know that he is having a heart attack. He may state that he feels like having "bad indigestion."

a. A heart attack may begin with pain, uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or tightness around the chest. The pain is usually located in the center of the chest behind the breastbone (sternum). The pain may be substernal and may be described as crushing; many patients describe the pain as, “It feels like an elephant is sitting on my chest.” The pain may not be severe. Sharp, stabbing twinges of pain are usually not symptoms of a heart attack.

(1) The pain may spread to a shoulder, an arm, or neck.

 

(2) The duration of the pain is usually 2 minutes or longer. The pain may come and go.

b. The person may also feel weak, have shortness of breath, perspire, and be nauseous (feel like vomiting).

 

c. Signs and symptoms may come and go, depending upon factors such as the severity of damage to the casualty's heart and the casualty's physical activity during or immediately before the heart attack. The disappearance of symptoms may cause the casualty to deny that he has suffered a heart attack.

 

d. In some cases, the heart attack results in cardiac arrest (no pulse or heartbeat).

 

[Previous] [Next]