Symptoms of a heart attack – How to save your life

Symptoms of a heart attack

Symptoms of a heart attack can include:

• chest pain – a sensation of pressure, tightness or squeezing in the centre of your chest
• pain in other parts of the body – it can feel as if the pain is travelling from your chest to your arms (usually the left arm is affected, but it can affect both arms), jaw, neck, back and tummy (abdomen)
• feeling lightheaded or dizzy
• sweating
• shortness of breath
• feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
• an overwhelming sense of anxiety (similar to having a panic attack)
• coughing or wheezing

Although chest pain is often severe, some people may only experience minor pain, such as indigestion. In some cases, there may be no chest pain at all, especially in women, the elderly, and people with diabetes. It is the general pattern of symptoms that helps determine if you are having a heart attack.

Waiting for an ambulance

If you have had a heart attack, it is important that you rest while waiting for the ambulance, to avoid unnecessary stress on your heart.

If aspirin is available and you are not allergic to it, chew it slowly and then swallow an adult-sized tablet (300 mg) while you wait for an ambulance.

Aspirin helps thin blood and improves blood flow to your heart.

Cardiac arrest 

In some cases, a complication called ventricular arrhythmia may inhibit the heartbeat. This is known as sudden cardiac arrest.

Signs and symptoms that suggest a person has gone into cardiac arrest include:

• they appear not to be breathing
• they’re not moving
• they don’t respond to any stimulation, such as being touched or spoken to

If you feel that someone has gone into a cardiac arrest and does not have access to an automatic external defibrillator (AED), you should narrow the chest, as this may help the heart to resume.

Chest compression

To do chest compressions on an adult:

1. Place the heel of your hand on the breast bone in the center of the person’s chest. Place your second hand on top of your first hand and knead your fingers.
2. Using their body weight (not just their arms), press down 5 to 6 cm directly on their chest.
3. Repeat this until the ambulance arrives.