Chest pain or pressure is the classic sign of a heart attack. However, Dr. O’Donoghue says, very few people actually describe the symptom as “pain.” Many say it feels like pressure, tightness, squeezing or constriction. The feeling may trel into the left arm, shoulder, neck, jaw or back.
“Sharp pain that is very focal and you can point directly to with one finger is often not a heart attack but could be another emergent condition,” she explains. “People more commonly describe the chest pain associated with a heart attack as feeling like someone is sitting on their chest”.
Different people experience heart attacks in different ways, Dr. O’Donoghue adds. Some don’t he any sensations in the chest but may experience other symptoms (this is especially common in women):
A feeling in the chest often described as pressure, tightness, squeezing or constriction—but not always. Nausea Pain or tightness in the arm, shoulder, neck, jaw or back Shortness of breath Sweating Weakness or dizziness“There are other conditions that cause chest pain and similar symptoms. Some aren’t as serious as a heart attack, but others are worrisome,” she says. “I recommend that people trust their instincts. If you feel like something isn’t right, you should be immediately evaluated in the emergency department.”