5 Unusual Heart Attack Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore

By Author: Monica Quinn
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Heart attacks are more common than you might think. In the U.S., someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds, according to the American Heart Association. But not every heart attack looks like what you see in movies or TV shows. In fact, the signs can be subtle or confusing, and that’s why it’s important to know what to watch out for.

Let’s take a closer look at what happens during a heart attack and five less obvious symptoms you should take seriously.

What Causes a Heart Attack?
Your heart needs a constant supply of oxygen-rich blood to work properly. This blood is delivered through the coronary arteries. Over time, these arteries can become narrow or blocked due to a condition called coronary artery disease.

This narrowing happens because of a buildup of plaque—made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances. When the outer layer of this plaque cracks, your body sees it as an injury and sends platelets to the area. These platelets can form a blood clot, which may block the artery completely. When blood can’t reach part of your heart, that part of the muscle starts to die.

Getting ...
... fast medical help is crucial. But because heart attack symptoms aren’t always what you’d expect, many people wait too long. Knowing the less common warning signs could save your life or someone else’s.

1. Pain in Your Shoulder or Arm
According to the American Heart Association, many women are somewhat more likely than men to experience shoulder pain and arm pain. Despite the fact that both men and women can feel chest pressure that feels like an elephant is sitting across their chest, women can have a heart attack without chest pressure.

2. Nausea or Vomiting
Feeling sick to your stomach or throwing up is another possible symptom of a heart attack. Some people also sweat a lot and feel weak or shaky. These signs can easily be mistaken for food poisoning, the flu, or stomach problems. But if you’re also feeling dizzy or have chest discomfort, don’t ignore it—get checked out right away.

3. Neck, Jaw, or Back Pain
Pain that spreads to your neck, jaw, or back can be a sign that something is wrong with your heart. It might feel like pressure or a strange tightness. Sometimes it’s more noticeable during activity and goes away when you rest.

People often describe pain in the jaw or between the shoulder blades. It’s also common to feel cold sweats, lightheadedness, or shortness of breath at the same time. These symptoms are sometimes more common in women than in men.

4. Chest Discomfort (Even If It’s Mild)
Chest pain is still one of the most well-known signs of a heart attack, but it doesn’t always feel severe. You might feel pressure, squeezing, heaviness, or a general discomfort in the center of your chest. Some people describe it as fullness or tightness. It may last more than a few minutes, or it might go away and come back.

Keep in mind that not everyone experiences chest pain. That’s why it’s important to consider the full range of symptoms, especially if you have a history of heart problems or risk factors like high blood pressure or diabetes.

5. Feeling Lightheaded or Dizzy
Feeling faint, dizzy, or suddenly weak is another symptom that many people don’t realize could be heart-related. If this happens along with any of the other symptoms listed above, it could point to a heart attack.

This feeling might come from a sudden drop in blood pressure due to the heart not pumping effectively. It’s easy to overlook, especially if you’re busy or think you’re just tired or dehydrated.

Greetings, my name is Monica. I graduated from New York Medical College and work as a nurse in Queens Hospital at the moment. The thing I love the most is morning jogging, because it is a wonderful way to keep myself in tonus. I like to communicate with people who care about their health. I became a vegetarian five years ago. Now my daily menu consists mainly of vegetables, fruits and different cheeses. I am a member of water polo team and I love gardening. I like to see how huge flowers grow out of the tiny petal, it dazzles me because I love spending my time outdoors. My goal is to visit all the USA parks, and then all over the world)