How do you know if you are having a small heart attack?

Answer 1

Contrary to what some say, your small heart and your regular-sized heart act the same way. (cue the rim shot)

Women tend to present with more atypical symptoms than men. Almost always is a sense of shortness of breath. Other symptoms may be a profound sense of fatigue, chest tightness, jaw and/or neck discomfort, shoulder, arm, mid scapular discomfort. Many people will say that they are not feeling true "pain." There may also be pallor, a cold sweat, nausea and/or vomiting, and a sense of "impending doom."

Another consideration is your risk factors. Early family history for heart disease (heart attacks, open hearts, heart caths only - not arrhythmias or valve problems), high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and smoking are the big five. If you are a woman and under 40 then you would need to have nearly all of the risk factors to actually have heart disease/heart attack. If you are at menopause or later in life a couple of factors would be enough to be concerned. I hope this helps.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I have had 2 heart attacks and please don't believe the myth that you will feel pressure on your chest and pain going down your left arm. My pain was in the upper section of my tummy just below my ribs. The doctors have told me any woman who has pains anyplace above the waist should be looked at. The only way to really know if you are having a heart attack is by EKG and blood work.

Answer 4

You can discover a pain arising usually in the left shoulder down into the chest. If you are concerned, call your doctor and take a baby aspirin. By the time you go to ER and they finally get you checked out in a couple of HOURS it might be too late!

Answer 5

The only way to know for sure is to go to the ER....Everyone's symptoms may be different.....

Answer 6

Hello -- You feel like you have an elephant sitting on your chest.
You can't breathe.