Heart Attack Symptoms - from Consumer Reports, December 2001   added 11/03/01

"Would you recognize the symptoms of a heart attack? 
Would you know what to do if you thought you were having one?

According to a large trail conducted in 20 U.S. communities in the mid-to-late 1990s and funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, people don't  always know when a heart attack strikes, and they don't always seek immediate help.

The troubling findings include:

Some 90% of the people surveyed knew that chest pain is one symptom. 
But only 67% knew that arm pain was a symptom, and
a mere 21% knew that sweating can also signal an attack.

On the average, those surveyed could name only 3 of 11 symptoms of a heart attack.

Almost 90% said they would call 911 if they witnessed someone {else} having a heart attack.
But, researchers found only 23% of those who thought they were having an attack dialed 911. "

The Right Things to do
Recognize the Symptoms:

• Chest pain or discomfort that lasts for more than a few minutes or that comes and goes; 
  the pain is often accompanied by shortness of breath
• Discomfort in one or both arms, the back, shoulders, neck, jaw, or stomach.
• A cold sweat, nausea, lightheadedness, or a feeling of impending doom.

Get help right away

• Take an aspirin tablet, preferably by chewing (it thins the blood and may prevent clots) and call 911 for an ambulance.
• Drive yourself to the hospital only as a last resort. Studies show that you cut the risk of dying from a heart attack at least in half if you get treatment within one to two hours of the first symptoms {note: go to a Heart Attack Critical Care Center - not just a small hospital}

Original material for Consumer Union article seems to be from National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

News Release

Warning Signs

Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back. The discomfort can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain.

 Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.

Shortness of breath. Often comes along with chest discomfort. But it also can occur before chest discomfort.

Other symptoms. May include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or light-headedness

Quiz - True-False

Discomfort or a heavy feeling in the chest can signal a heart attack.

Women do not frequently experience heart attacks.

African-American women die of heart attacks at the same rate as white women.

Some people who are experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack may wait hours or even days before seeking needed medical care.

Being treated within about an hour of the first symptoms can make a significant difference.

Many heart attack victims say their heart attack wasn’t what they’d expected.

A family member, such as a spouse, can persuade a loved one having a heart attack to seek help immediately.

Calling 9-1-1 for chest pain alone would probably turn out to be a waste of the emergency medical personnel’s time.

Most heart attacks occur in people over 65.

The major issue in delay is how long it takes for emergency medical personnel to find the address and deliver the patient to the hospital.