Recognizing the Early Signs of a Heart Attack
August 29, 2026 · 4 min read
The short answer
Classic heart attack symptoms include chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to the arm, jaw, or back, shortness of breath, cold sweat, nausea, and lightheadedness. Symptoms can also be subtler, especially in women and older adults.
Symptoms to take seriously
Chest pain or pressure that lasts more than a few minutes, or that comes and goes, is the symptom most people recognize. But pain in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach can also signal a heart attack.
Symptoms that are easy to miss
Not every heart attack announces itself with dramatic chest pain. Some people experience heart attacks with symptoms that feel more like unusual fatigue, indigestion, or mild shortness of breath.
What to do
If you or someone near you may be having a heart attack, call 911 immediately. Do not drive yourself to the hospital, and do not wait to see if symptoms pass.
After the emergency
Ongoing cardiology care is how you reduce the risk of a future event. Gilead Heart & Vascular provides that ongoing, personal follow-up care at a location near you across Arizona.
Have a question about your heart health?
Talk it through with your doctor at any Gilead Heart & Vascular location.