Heart Attack

heart attack is usually caused by a blood clot that forms in a coronary artery. This blocks blood flow to your heart and often causes a cramping or squeezing type of pain in the center of your chest. Sometimes this pain can spread to the upper stomach area (upper abdomen).


Chest discomfort or pain
Upper body pain
Stomach pain
Shortness of breath
You may feel a sense of doom or feel as if you’re having a panic attack for no apparent reason.


The symptoms of a heart attack are not the same for everyone. Sometimes heart attacks are sudden and excruciating, but often, they start out slow with mild discomfort. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, one study found that one-third of people who had a heart attack had no chest pain. These people were likely to be older, female, or diabetic.

Some people have no symptoms. This is called a silent heart attack. The most common symptoms of a heart attack are listed below.

sick to your stomach or vomit.

Most heart attacks begin with subtle symptoms — with only discomfort that often is not described as pain. The chest discomfort may come and go. Don’t be tempted to downplay your symptoms or brush them off as indigestion or anxiety.

Don’t “tough out” heart attack symptoms for more than five minutes. Call 911 or other emergency medical services for help.


Heart attack symptoms vary widely. For instance, you may have only minor chest discomfort while someone else has excruciating pain. One thing applies to everyone, though: If you suspect you’re having a heart attack, call for emergency medical help immediately.