Each year, 350,000 people suffer from sudden cardiac arrest, but many of the the victims don’t know what’s happening to them. It’s not like it looks like in the movies.
Signs of a Heart Attack
Chest discomfort – Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
Discomfort in other areas of the upper body – Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
Shortness of breath – This can be with or without chest discomfort.
Other signs – Breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
Heart attack symptoms are not always the same for women as they are for men. Women are more likely to experience shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain in addition to chest discomfort when having a heart attack.
If you think you may be having a heart attack, call 911 immediately. Minutes matter.
June 1 – 7 is National CPR Week. For more information on symptoms of a heart attack, go here. To learn how to use TU’s life-saving Automatic External Defibrillators, go to www.towson.edu/aed.
