What are the signs of a heart attack?

The signs of a heart attack are typically associated with distress signals from the heart and include chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, and sweating.

Chest pain is often described as pressure, squeezing, or fullness in the center or left side of the chest, and it may last for more than a few minutes or go away and come back. This pain can radiate to the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach. Shortness of breath may occur with or without chest pain and is a key indicator of heart distress. Nausea can manifest as a result of the heart not receiving enough oxygen, leading to gastrointestinal discomfort. Sweating, or cold sweats, is another common symptom often linked with the body responding to stress and pain.

These signs are critical to recognize as they can assist in the timely diagnosis and treatment of a heart attack, potentially saving a life. The combination of these symptoms is well-documented and aligns with medical standards for identifying the condition, reinforcing the importance of immediate medical attention when they occur.