How exactly do you know when you have a heart attack?

Question

Does your body go numb and you can't feel a thing and does your heart stop pumping? Or is there more to it than that?

Answer 1

A "heart attack" occurs when, because of a blood clot or other event interrupting blood flow in the coronary arteries, causes an infarct or death of some portion of the myocardium, the heart's muscle. The symptoms vary in people, but generally a heart attack is said to cause chest pain -- severe or crushing -- perhaps radiating to the shoulder, arm, or jaw. The patient may also experience nausea, possibly cold sweats. An irregular heartbeat would be another obvious manifestation, and that is the situation which can precede death. Ventricular tachycardia leading to ventricular fibrillation would be the cause, because the heart becomes incapable of circulating the blood, therefore depriving the brain of oxygen, resulting in the patient's death if defibrillation is not performed immediately. The objective is to secure help before the situation progresses to that point! A person having symptoms of a cardiac event should call 911 ASAP!

Answer 2

Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:

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. May occur with or without chest discomfort.
Other signs: These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness
As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

If you or someone you're with has chest discomfort, especially with one or more of the other signs, don't wait longer than a few minutes (no more than 5) before calling for help. Call 9-1-1... Get to a hospital right away.

Answer 3

You will experience the symtoms of heart attack and this is how they determine if you did have one.


A doctor who's studied the results of several tests must diagnose a heart attack. The doctor will

* review the patient's complete medical history.
* give a physical examination.
* use an electrocardiogram (e-lek"tro-KAR'de-o-gram) (ECG or EKG) to discover any abnormalities caused by damage to the heart. An ECG is a medical device that makes a graphical record of the heart's electrical activity.
* sometimes use a blood test to detect abnormal levels of certain enzymes in the bloodstream.

Blood tests confirm (or refute) suspicions raised in the early stages of evaluation that may occur in an emergency room, intensive care unit or urgent care setting. These tests are sometimes called heart damage markers or cardiac enzymes.

Answer 4

a good deal more to it than that, there is excruciating pain as well, often nausea and vomiting too, let's not forget profuse sweating either. It is not a gentle cessation of the heart beating at all, that muscle is intended to beat, and when it stops or has problems, it hurts ALOT.

Answer 5

Here is a page that contains useful information about what is heart attack, its signs and symptoms, and how to get help. Hope it helps!

Answer 6

find the detailed free info about Causes & Signs of Heart Attack, also called Myocardial Infarction ....

Answer 7

i'm sure you would feel some sort of pain, in the general heart area...
i think someone said that you smell burning toast before you have a heart attack..

Answer 8

The only true way to know is to have a 12-Lead EKG done and have cardiac enzymes drawn!! Its the only way to know for sure trust me!!!

Answer 9

i've seen a commercial before that said some symptoms were also sudden blurred vision, trouble speaking, sudden dizzy spells.