what does a heart attack feel like?If somebody has had one that is a male please answer.?

Question

Just wondering,and are they always fatal?

Answer 1

I'm not male, but I spent a good number of years working in a cardiology practice, and if you even think it may be a heart attack, you need to call 911 or have someone take you to the ER immediately. Every minute after a heart attack is time that heart tissue is dying. While not all heart attacks are fatal, some are and death may come hours to days later if not recognized and treated.

If this is some other heart condition like angina, treatment now can prevent or at least reduce the odds of having the real thing.

Pain from a heart attack can range for intolerable to not especially severe, and the amount of pain does not necessarily indicate how much damage is being done. The pain may be localized over the chest or radiate to the arms or jaw or other parts of the body. Some describe it as pressure rather than pain at all, "like an elephant sitting on my chest." Some confuse it with indigestion. There may be nausea, sweating, dizziness or weakness present as well.

If you have medicine for angina, like nitroglycerine, take it as directed and call the doctor or EMS as directed after the number of recommended doses. Never stand while using nitroglycerine, since it drops blood pressure very sharply and you may pass out. Never try to drive yourself to the hospital, either.

After you call 911, unless you are allergic to aspirin or cannot take it for a medical reason, immediately take a whole adult aspirin or 4 baby aspirin. Either kind you need to chew up and take with a swallow of water. This can reduce your chances of dying by 25% to 50%.

Even if you feel better, you need to be seen as soon as possible for an EKG and blood work and other tests that can determine what exactly was going on and treat it. Please, if this is about you or someone you know and not just a random question, go for help now.

Answer 2

Rose_Merrick & Patrica are on the money, I am male & have had a heart attack.

Tthe 'uncomfortable' feeling in the chest is a compressing sensation like a Elephant standing on it & don't forget the raised temperature.

But for pity's sake don't write it off as heart burn now that IS fatal.

And yes heart attacks are survivable, it's been 20 years since mine, I was the youngest in the cardio ward and that was the risky part - those cute nurses, boy oh boy!

I appreciate life sooo much more! & the 50+ smoke habit went way back then.

Answer 3

if you get to the hospital in time for the right treatment they are not always fatal. Symptoms to watch for are; sharp, crushing pain or tightness in the chest, pain that 'radiates' in to jaw or arm, breathlessness, nagging uncomfortable chest feeling, - go to emergency straight away, where the nice nurse will test your blood, do an ECG (paper read - out of your heart beat) take you pulse and blood pressure on a monitor and give you aspirin, oxygen and other meds if needed.

Answer 4

When I had a panic attack, it felt like I was having a heart attack. It was horrible shortness of breath, tightness in the chest. When the hospital told me it was a panic attack, it took a while to accept that cuz I didnt believe it, because of what I went thru.

Answer 5

It feels like getting your name written in the deathnote. if you don't know what the deathnote is, go to www.deathnoteanime.com

Answer 6

it feels like ****/dying.