Heart attack symptoms: symptoms and first aid

Call 112 first; the emergency department provides the first treatment. For follow-up afterwards: Cardiology.

Common symptoms: pressure, tightness, crushing or burning pain in the chest lasting more than a few minutes or coming and going; pain spreading to the left arm, both arms, jaw, neck, back or stomach; a cold sweat; breathlessness; nausea and vomiting; dizziness and sudden weakness; in women, older people and people with diabetes, there may be only breathlessness, stomach pain or weakness. Symptoms vary from person to person; a doctor’s examination is needed for a diagnosis.

Do not let the person drive themselves to hospital. Do not wait for the pain to go away by itself. Do not make the person walk or exert themselves.

The most common causes: plaque building up in the heart arteries and a clot forming on it; risk factors: smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, excess weight, inactivity and early heart disease in the family. Only a doctor’s examination can determine the exact cause.

Call 112 immediately; while waiting for the ambulance, sit the person down and let them rest. Loosen tight clothing. If a doctor previously prescribed a medicine for chest pain, use it as directed; follow the 112 operator’s instructions. If the person loses consciousness and is not breathing normally, start chest compressions as directed by 112 over the phone.

Pressure or tightness-type chest pain lasting more than 5 minutes, spreading to the arm, jaw or back, a cold sweat and breathlessness are the most typical symptoms. Call 112 even if you are not sure.

In women, chest pain can be less obvious; breathlessness, unusual tiredness, nausea, back or jaw pain may be more prominent.

Call 112 immediately, sit the person down to rest and loosen tight clothing. If they lose consciousness and are not breathing normally, start chest compressions as directed by 112.

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, call 112 without delay: “Is there pressure or tightness-type pain in the chest?” “Is the pain spreading to the arm, jaw or back?” “Is there a cold sweat, breathlessness or a feeling of fainting?” “Is there confusion, fainting or difficulty waking up?” “Is there facial drooping, slurred speech or sudden weakness in an arm or leg?” “Are you struggling to breathe even at rest?”

See a doctor: the same day for a heart check even if the chest pain has passed; see Cardiology for chest pain that keeps coming back with exertion.