Signs You’re Having a Heart Attack

Is that stabbing pain in your chest a heart attack? Or…nothing? Dr. Google isn’t always helpful.

With chest pain, you may think you can just “tough it out”. But it pays to know when that’s the last thing you want to do.

What Are Common Symptoms of a Heart Attack?

A heart attack usually has one or more signs, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. You might have:

• Chest pain or heaviness, sometimes with a rapid or irregular heartbeat.
• Pain in one or both arms, or in your back, shoulders, neck or jaw.
• Shortness of breath when resting.
• Sweating for no reason.
• Feeling unusually tired, nauseous or dizzy.

It is possible to have NO symptoms. And heart attacks aren’t always sudden. Many people have warning signs but ignore them because they come and go.

For Men, It's Often Intense Pain

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men in the United States, reports the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

In men, a medical emergency often starts with classic symptoms—squeezing chest pain, and intense pain that radiates down the left arm, jaw pain, and cold sweats. Time matters, because without treatment, heart muscle starts to die.

Women Don’t Go to the Hospital Fast Enough

Signs are often not so clear for women. Menopause increases risks.

On average, women take an hour longer to reach a hospital than men, according to the American College of Cardiology. Because they wait, outcomes can be worse.

In addition to unusual fatigue, women often just don’t “feel right”. Instead of crushing pain, persistent heartburn—especially that grows worse under activity—can signal a heart attack.

3 Tools to Use Before Signs Show Up

You can help prevent heart attacks.

1. Coronary artery calcium tests. This outpatient heart scan shows calcium plaques in your coronary arteries. The more you have, the greater your risk. Most major hospitals offer self-pay tests, often starting at $49.
2. Cholesterol reducers. Statins are drugs that reduce cholesterol in the blood, which forms plaques. Long term use can cut the risk of a stroke or heart attack in half. If you’ve a family history of heart disease, you might have a genetic disorder that causes high cholesterol.
3. Lifestyle changes. Not smoking, or quitting if you do, helps prevent heart attacks. Also, keep high blood pressure, blood sugar and body weight in check.

Manage Heart Health with the Right Coverage

Mercer Indigo helps you find essential health plans that give you good choices for heart health care.

You can also add supplemental coverage like critical illness, telehealth and indemnity plans to help cover expenses a heart attack can bring.