Cardiac Arrest Symptoms

Is that uncomfortable pressure in your chest a heart attack or isn’t it?  Frequently, it can be hard to decide if symptoms warrant an emergency room trip.  You don’t want to look silly when the doctor pronounces that your “heart attack” is really just indigestion from the spicy food you had for lunch!  On the other hand, being dead is inconvenient, and if your symptoms mean something serious, you should get going!  

Know the warning signs of a heart attack and be ready to call 9-1-1 if you have one or more signs.  Symptoms may come on slowly or with mild intensity.  Chest pain in any form is suspect, especially if it is in the center, lasts for more than 5 minutes or feels like an uncomfortable pressure or squeezing.  Symptoms might also include upper body discomfort, such as one or both arms, back, neck or jaw.  Women seem to have more upper body pain than men, which leads females to conclude that their symptoms are not heart related.

Pain might also extend to the patient’s stomach, and shortness of breath usually occurs, sometimes even before the chest pain.  Other frequent alerts are anxiety, being lightheaded, cold sweat and nausea or vomiting.

Quick help maximizes survival chance and lessens heart damage. Instead of wandering over to the hospital, where you downplay your symptoms, call that ambulance!  Be prepared with CPR and oxygen if it is quickly needed. Arrival at the medical facility by ambulance ensures the patient priority treatment and personnel can start treatment en route.

Don’t dismiss your possible heart attack symptoms – better to be embarrassed over a nothing diagnosis, than dead or seriously disabled!  When in doubt, call 9-1-1!