Heart Attack Symptoms

What triggers a heart attack?  It is blocked arteries or the blood supply is cut off from part of the heart.  A blood clot will stop the flow of blood to the heart.  A heart attack is also known as Acute Myocardial Infarction or MI.

Most people do get signs prior to having a heart attack.  They will feel a pain in the center of the chest, pressure or feel full.  This will last for a few minutes.  The pain will travel to the neck, shoulders and arms.  The pain will vary depending on the individual.  

Other symptoms are feeling faint, sweating, shortness of breath, anxiety, nervousness, paleness and an irregular heartbeat.  Many people will ignore the signs because the symptoms will go away, but it will return at some point.  

How will a doctor know if you had a heart attack?  A doctor can find out by doing an EKG or ECG to check the electrical heart activities.  Blood test will show an unusual level of enzymes in the bloodstream.  

If you have any of the above symptoms, go to the emergency room or call 911 immediately.