What does a heart attack feel like? 8 warning signs you shouldn’t ignore

Did you know that every 40 seconds, someone in the United States experiences a heart attack? But heart attacks don't always announce themselves like in the movies. The symptoms can be subtle, varied and easily mistaken for other conditions. Heart attacks can also look different for men and for women, too.

Understanding what a heart attack actually feels like—and knowing that symptoms can differ significantly between individuals—is crucial for getting life-saving treatment as quickly as possible.

What does a heart attack feel like? Here are 8 common signs:

While heart attack symptoms can be different for everyone, there are eight common signs that you need to pay attention to.

1. Chest pain or discomfort

The classic heart attack symptom remains chest pain, but it's not always the sharp, stabbing pain many people expect. Instead, most heart attack sufferers describe:

• Pressure or squeezing sensation in the center of the chest
• Heaviness that feels like an something or someone sitting on your chest
• Tightness or constriction around the chest area
• Burning sensation like severe heartburn

This discomfort typically lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back. It's often described as uncomfortable pressure rather than sharp pain, which is why some people dismiss it as indigestion or stress.

2. Radiating chest pain

Heart attack pain rarely stays confined to the chest area. The pain often travels (or “radiates”) to:

• Left arm (most common)—from shoulder down to the wrist
• Both arms—creating a sense of heaviness or numbness
• Neck and jaw—often mistaken for dental problems
• Back—particularly between the shoulder blades
• Upper abdomen—easily confused with stomach issues

This radiating pain occurs because the heart shares nerve pathways with other parts of the body. Your brain can interpret heart-related pain signals as coming from these other areas.

3. Shortness of breath

Difficulty breathing is one of the most frightening heart attack symptoms. You might experience:

• Sudden breathlessness during normal activities
• Feeling like you can't get enough air even at rest
• Gasping or panting without exertion
• Sensation of suffocating or drowning

This happens because the heart muscle isn't pumping effectively, causing fluid to back up in the lungs. Some people experience shortness of breath as their only symptom, particularly women and older adults.

4. Nausea, vomiting and digestive distress

Many people experiencing a heart attack can feel gastrointestinal symptoms that can be easily misinterpreted:

• Sudden nausea without apparent cause
• Vomiting that seems to come out of nowhere
• Severe indigestion that doesn't respond to antacids
• Abdominal pain in the upper stomach area

These symptoms occur because the heart and digestive system share similar nerve pathways. Women are more likely than men to experience these digestive-related symptoms during a heart attack.

5. Cold sweats and clammy skin

Breaking out in a cold sweat is a common heart attack symptom that people often overlook. This isn't the same as sweating from exercise or hot weather. Instead, you might notice:

• Sudden, profuse sweating without physical activity
• Cold, clammy skin that feels moist and cool to the touch
• Skin that appears pale or grayish
• Sweating accompanied by other symptoms like chest discomfort

This cold sweat occurs because your body is in distress and your nervous system is responding to the lack of oxygen-rich blood reaching your tissues.

6. Unusual fatigue and weakness

Extreme, unexplained fatigue can be a warning sign, especially in women. This isn't ordinary tiredness but rather:

• Overwhelming exhaustion that comes on suddenly
• Weakness that makes simple tasks feel impossible
• Fatigue that doesn't improve with rest
• Feeling drained without having done anything strenuous

This symptom can appear days or weeks before a heart attack and is often dismissed as stress or aging. The fatigue occurs because your heart isn't pumping blood effectively, depriving your body of the oxygen it needs.

7. Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting

When your heart isn't pumping properly, your brain may not receive enough blood, causing:

• Sudden dizziness or feeling off-balance
• Lightheadedness that makes you feel like you might faint
• Fainting or losing consciousness
• Feeling confused or disoriented

These symptoms are particularly dangerous because they can lead to falls or accidents. If you experience sudden dizziness along with other heart attack symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.

8. Anxiety or sense of doom

Many heart attack survivors report an overwhelming psychological component:

• Sudden, intense anxiety without apparent cause
• Feeling of impending doom or that something terrible is about to happen
• Panic or fear that seems to come from nowhere
• Restlessness and inability to find a comfortable position

This psychological symptom occurs because your body recognizes it's in serious distress, even if you can't consciously identify why. Don't dismiss intense anxiety, especially when accompanied by physical symptoms.

Most of all, trust your instincts

Heart attacks can feel different for everyone, and symptoms can be subtle or severe. The key is not to dismiss unusual symptoms, especially if you have risk factors like Alta presion sanguinea, Diabetes, smoking history or a family history of Enfermedad del corazón.

It's always better to be cautious and seek medical attention for a false alarm than to ignore the warning signs of a real heart attack. If you're concerned that you might be at risk, speak to your doctor. But if you’re experiencing any combination of these symptoms right now, call 911 immediately.