Heart Attack Symptoms

Symptoms of a heart attack 

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Symptoms 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 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

Before Going to a Hospital

It is important to rest while you wait for an ambulance, to avoid unnecessary strain on your heart.
If aspirin is easily available and you know you are not allergic to it, slowly chew and then swallow an adult-sized tablet (300mg) while you reach a hospital .
The aspirin will help to thin your blood and restore blood supply to your heart.

Cardiac arrest

In some cases a complication called ventricular arrhythmia can cause the heart to go into spasm and then to stop beating. This is known as sudden cardiac arrest.
Signs and symptoms suggesting a person has gone into cardiac arrest include:

• they appear not to be breathing
• they are not moving
• they do not respond to any stimulation, such as being touched or spoken to

If you think somebody has gone into cardiac arrest and you do not have access to a piece of equipment called an automated external defibrillator (AED), you should perform chest compressions, as this can help restart the heart.

Chest compression

To carry out a chest compression:

1. Place the heel of your hand on the breastbone at the centre of the person’s chest. Place your other hand on top of your first hand and interlock your fingers.
2. Using your body weight (not just your arms), press straight down by 5-6cm on their chest.
3. Repeat this until an ambulance arrives.

Aim to do the chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 compressions a minute.

Automated external defibrillator (AED)

If you have access to a device called an AED, you should use it. An AED is a safe, portable electrical device that most large organisations keep as part of their first aid equipment.
It helps to establish a regular heartbeat during a cardiac arrest by monitoring the person's heartbeat and giving them an electric shock if necessary.