heart attack question?

Question

when people say your left arm, shoulder, neck and face goes numb when u get a heart attack..

what do people specifically mean by it? the word 'numb' that is?

which of these below sounds more like a heart attack?

1) there is no feeling in the places, like u cant feel things with that specific arm or move it etc (sorta like a turned off arm).
if someone pinched u wouldnt feel it.

2) it is tingly mild feeling inside and a kind of weakness? pins n needles.. and jaw is hard to move, tooth pain?

3) or is it pain that you feel in all these areas that occurs all at once and shoots up and down that area?

depressing subject i know but just wondering.

Answer 1

Every person I know who has had a heart attack describes it differently. It's very subjective, so trying to pinpoint which description is more accurate is impossible.

Each of the things you've listed may be indicative of a heart attack. Or, it may be indicative of something else.

Not all heart attack victims describe arm and jaw symptoms at all.

The links below do a pretty good job describing some of the more common symptoms of heart attack.

When in doubt, call 911 and request transportation to the hospital. It is always better safe than sorry.

Answer 2

When I had a heart attack it did not feel numb. It felt achey and no matter which way you move (if you feel like it at all) it never lets up.
I was convinced I had pulled a muscle in my back somewhere and it was making both arms, shoulders, and neck and jaw hurt.
I must have convinced the paramedics because they didn't take me to the hospital......then it got so bad I drove myself. That was a stupid move on my part.

I eventually found out I had had a previous heart attack and I realized it had been Christmas eve when I got physically sick and vomited. That can be a symptom too.

All these symptoms that I have mentioned may or may not happen to everyone. And I hear men and women have different symptoms too. So don't guess, it's best to go to emergency even if you aren't having an attack.

Answer 3

Symptoms of a heart attack include:

Angina: Chest pain or discomfort in the center of the chest; also described as a heaviness, tightness, pressure, aching, burning, numbness, fullness or squeezing feeling that lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back. It is sometimes mistakenly thought to be indigestion or heartburn.
Pain or discomfort in other areas of the upper body including the arms, left shoulder, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Sweating or ?cold sweat? Symptoms Area
Fullness, indigestion, or choking feeling (may feel like ?heartburn?)
Nausea or vomiting
Light-headedness, dizziness, extreme weakness or anxiety
Rapid or irregular heart beats

Answer 4

If you think for one moment you are having a heart attack you need to call 911 and take asprin, it thins the blood and can possibly help. My father died on July 4th 2002 of a heart attack. He pretty much died before he hit the floor. Symptoms don't always show themselves!!! If you have a history of heart problems in your family make sure you don't smoke and eat food low in cholesterol and saturated fat. Also make sure your blood pressure is no higher then 120 over 80. 110/80 is the best. Be careful and go to the doctor often. Exercise and eat healthy.

Answer 5

When my father had a heart attack at 36 (!!) he said he couldn't breathe and felt like he had a ton of bricks on his chest. Numbness like that can be a sign of a stroke too.

Answer 6

My experience was a dull ache in my left arm, and shortness of breath, diagnosed as a heart problem and successfully treated.Symptoms vary, a visit to one's doctor will quickly establish if there is something wrong, mostly the symptoms are of something less to worry about.

Answer 7

add 1 and 3 together and you have it=a heart attack

Answer 8

there are so many things that could be also. i mean yes sometimes there is numb feeling you know where you can't feel. there is also sometimes you think of indigestion that coudl be heart attack its abit different for all. sometimes its like someone bearing down on your chest so you can't breathe and the pain is unreal. so sometimes is hard to tell.

Answer 9

These symptoms vary from person to person. where one person might feel pain and numbness another will not. In any event you should see your Dr. immediatly!

Answer 10

its PAIN and a sense of doom... associated with lots of sweating in most patients.