3. Unusual Fatigue
Everyone gets tired occasionally.
What deserves attention is unusual or unexplained fatigue, especially when it is new, persistent, or noticeably different from your normal energy level.
The American Heart Association lists unusual tiredness among possible heart attack symptoms and notes that women may be more likely to experience unusual fatigue and weakness.
4. Pain or Discomfort Beyond the Chest
Heart-related discomfort isn’t always limited to the chest.
A heart attack can cause pain or discomfort in the:
- One or both arms
- Back
- Neck
- Jaw
- Stomach or upper abdomen
- Shoulders
These symptoms can be particularly easy to dismiss because they may resemble muscle pain, indigestion, or other everyday problems.
5. Nausea, Sweating, or Lightheadedness
Some people experience symptoms that don’t initially seem connected to the heart.
These can include nausea, vomiting, cold sweating, dizziness, or feeling faint.
Women may experience several of these less obvious symptoms, sometimes without the classic severe chest pain people associate with a heart attack.
6. Symptoms That Come and Go
One dangerous misconception is that a serious heart problem must cause constant, unbearable symptoms.
That’s not necessarily the case.
Heart attack discomfort can sometimes improve and then return. Some heart attacks begin slowly with mild discomfort rather than dramatic pain.
