[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/09\/heart-attack-faq\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/09\/heart-attack-faq\/","headline":"How Do I Know if I\u2019m Having a Heart Attack?","name":"How Do I Know if I\u2019m Having a Heart Attack?","description":"

A heart attack is a medical emergency, but it may not look like it does in the movies. Here's how to tell if you're having a heart attack \u2014 and what to do.<\/p>","datePublished":"2024-09-03","dateModified":"2025-08-06","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/heart-vascular","name":"Heart and Vascular Institute","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/heart-vascular","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/heart-and-vascular-institute\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/GettyImages-1480946811.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/GettyImages-1480946811.jpg","height":867,"width":1996},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/09\/heart-attack-faq\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Heart and Vascular Health"],"wordCount":1218,"articleBody":"We all know how heart attacks look in the movies \u2014 a person stops suddenly, clutches their chest, and falls to the ground. But what about in real life? How do I know if I\u2019m having a heart attack?Read on for some typical symptoms of heart attacks and what to do if you think you\u2019re having one.What Is a Heart Attack?A heart attack (medical name: myocardial infarction) is a life-threatening emergency. It happens when the arteries that provide oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle become narrowed or completely blocked. This causes the muscle to be starved of oxygen, and the muscle then begins to die.Heart attacks are common and according to the American Heart Association, in the U.S. a heart attack occurs every 40 seconds in both men and women.Heart Attack Causes and Risk FactorsThe coronary arteries are the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle. These arteries are on top of the muscle and then become tiny arteries that go directly into the muscle. They bring the oxygen the heart muscle needs to survive.Heart attacks can occur when your coronary arteries become narrowed by cholesterol plaques surrounding the arteries. Plaque is made up of cholesterol and other substances that collect around the arteries over years to decades; doctors call this buildup atherosclerosis. Our arteries are like pipes, and interestingly, the plaques do not grow inside the “pipe”, but rather around it. One type of heart attack is caused when the plaques “squeeze” the artery to the point that it is narrowed and can no longer deliver blood effectively to the heart muscle. Another type is called a “plaque rupture” heart attack and is caused when tiny cracks form inside the “pipe” which allow the surrounding plaque to suddenly rush into the artery and completely block the flow of blood.Genetics, medical conditions, and lifestyle habits increase your odds of developing heart artery blockages.Risk factors for heart attacks include:Being older than 45 for men and 55 for women.A family history of early heart disease in your parents, and especially if a sibling has had heart artery blockages.Smoking.Diabetes.High blood pressure.High cholesterol.A diet high in carbohydrates, and\/or saturated fat, and salt.Being overweight or obese.A sedentary lifestyle.Diseases that cause inflammation, like psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and LupusA history of radiation to the chest for cancer treatmentAm I Having a Heart Attack?Heart attack symptoms can occur suddenly or slowly. They can happen when you\u2019re active or when you\u2019re resting.Sometimes, it\u2019s hard to tell if you\u2019re having a heart attack. You may only feel mild pain or discomfort at first. It\u2019s important to pay attention to your body and not dismiss or ignore your symptoms.\u201cOften in the movies you\u2019ll see someone describing an elephant sitting on their chest,” says Joshua Levenson, MD.\u00a0“But it\u2019s important to remember that many people, especially women, have atypical symptoms by just feeling nauseous, having an upset stomach, or just something that isn’t feeling right.”Heart attack symptoms include:Chest discomfort \u2014 a feeling of pressure in the center of your chest may be constant or come and go. The pressure may feel like something squeezing your chest, an uncomfortable fullness, or outright pain.Dizziness \u2014 you may feel lightheaded or even faint if you\u2019re having a heart attack.Extreme anxiety \u2014 you may feel like you\u2019re having a panic attack.Nausea \u2014 people often experience waves of nausea or vomiting when they\u2019re having a heart attack. You may mistake it for a bad case of heartburn or indigestion.Pain or discomfort elsewhere in the body \u2014 if you\u2019re having a heart attack, you may feel pain in your arms, back, neck, jaw, or even stomach.Sweating \u2014 you may break out in a cold sweat.Trouble breathing \u2014 you may have shortness of breath, with or without pain in your chest.Note: Heart attack symptoms can be different for men and women. Both may experience chest pain and discomfort. However, women often have symptoms that you may not immediately connect with a heart attack.These subtle signs of heart attack in women can include back or jaw pain, shortness of breath, and nausea. Many people don\u2019t realize these are potential heart attack symptoms. They may think they have acid reflux or the flu.What Should You Do if You Think You\u2019re Having a Heart Attack?You need to act quickly if you\u2019re experiencing symptoms of a heart attack \u2014 it can be a matter of life or death. Even if you\u2019re not sure you\u2019re having a heart attack, you should get your symptoms checked out. It\u2019s always better to err on the side of caution.Call 911If you or someone you\u2019re with has heart attack symptoms, call 911 right away. This is the fastest way to get potentially lifesaving treatment. Don\u2019t drive yourself or another person with heart attack symptoms to the hospital unless there’s no other choice.The first responder team can begin treatment as soon as they arrive. They’re also trained to revive someone if their heart stops on the way to the hospital. Heart attack patients generally get faster treatment if they arrive at the hospital by ambulance.Wait for the ambulanceTry to stay calm and still while you wait for the ambulance.Do not take aspirin until speaking with the 911 operator. They may direct you to take aspirin, or they may have you wait until the ambulance arrives and allow the first responders to decide if it is ok to take.If someone around you is having a heart attack, perform CPR only if the person stops breathing or is barely breathing (no need to check pulse). The American Heart Association says it is ok to do CPR even if you aren’t trained, and there is no need to do rescue breathing\u2014just chest compressions are ok; also, the 911 operator can guide you in proper technique.Preventing a Heart AttackEveryone can do things to reduce their risk of heart attack. Although you can\u2019t change your genetic makeup, you can incorporate the following changes into your lifestyle:Eat a heart-healthy diet\u00a0\u2014 The best diet includes lean protein, whole grains, healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables. Limit red and cured meats, processed foods, sugary snacks, and foods high in salt.If you use any nicotine products, quit \u2014 Your risk of coronary heart disease can drop by up to 50% within one year after you quit nicotine, including smoking, dipping, and vaping.Start moving \u2014 About 150 minutes of brisk walking or other moderate aerobic activity per week can help reduce your risk of heart attack. Even better: Mix in some resistance or weight training twice a week.Talk to your doctor \u2014 Discuss your risk of heart disease with your doctor and get advice on a heart-healthy lifestyle.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on September 3, 2024, and was last reviewed on October 2, 2024.SourcesAmerican Heart Association. What Is a Heart Attack? Link\u00a0American Heart Association. Warning Signs of a Heart Attack. Link\u00a0American Heart Association. Heart Attack Symptoms in Women. Link\u00a0NHS. Heart Attack Symptoms. Link\u00a0National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Heart Attack Causes and Risk Factors. 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