Acute MI Symptoms

The most common symptom of a heart attack includes:

• Chest pain:
• Dull, heavy, squeezing, or pressure-like chest pain
• Pain is usually located under the breastbone or on the left side of the chest
• Chest pain usually lasts for longer than 20 minutes
• Chest pain may be triggered by physical exertion
• Chest pain may be relieved with rest
• Chest pain caused by a heart attack may spread to other locations.

Additional locations for heart attack pain include:

• Neck pain
• Jaw pain
• Shoulder pain:
• May cause bilateral shoulder pain
• Upper back pain
• Arm pain (unilateral):
• Usually in the left arm
• May occur in the right arm
• Arm pain (bilateral)
• Upper abdominal pain

Additional symptoms of heart attack include:

• Pleuritic chest pain:
• Chest pain when taking a breath
• Difficulty breathing
• Rapid breathing
• Fainting
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Palpitations
• Rapid heart rate
• Bradycardia
• Excessive sweating
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Weakness and fatigue

People who over the age of 70 are more likely to have atypical symptoms when having a heart attack. Many of these people will report no chest pain at all. The elderly often complain of one or more of the following symptoms when suffering a heart attack:

• Extreme weakness or fatigue
• Feeling completely exhausted
• Loss of appetite
• Difficulty breathing
• Malaise
• Dizziness
• Faintness

Many people who suffer a heart attack also have:

• Obesity
• High cholesterol in the bloodstream
• High triglycerides in the bloodstream
• High blood pressure
• History of smoking

Last Updated: Jan 24, 2011 References
Authors: Stephen J. Schueler, MD; John H. Beckett, MD; D. Scott Gettings, MD
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