Click on a symptom on the left to learn more.
After picking a symptom read to the right for additional information.

Pain, pressure, heaviness or tightness in your:

Chest

Chest

Discomfort or pain in the centre of your chest. You may feel heaviness, tightness, pressure or a crushing sensation in the centre of the chest. The discomfort may be mild and make you feel generally unwell.

People who have had a heart attack describe feeling as if they have an ‘elephant sitting on their chest’ or ‘a belt tightening around their chest.’  Chest pain may spread to other parts of the upper body.

Note: Chest pain that is a sharp and stabbing sensation is generally less associated with having a heart attack.

Heart attack symptoms vary. They are not always sudden or severe. Many start slowly with only mild pain or discomfort. Some people experience one symptom, while others experience a combination. But the one thing all heart attacks have in common is that the sooner you receive treatment,  the less damage will be done.

Shoulders

Shoulders

Discomfort or pain in and around one or both of your shoulders. People who have had a heart attack describe feeling a general ache, heaviness or pressure which spreads from their chest to their shoulder(s).

Heart attack symptoms vary. They are not always sudden or severe. Many start slowly with only mild pain or discomfort. Some people experience one symptom, while others experience a combination. But the one thing all heart attacks have in common is that the sooner you receive treatment, the less damage will be done.

Neck

Neck

Discomfort or pain in your neck. People who have had a heart attack describe a general discomfort in their neck, or a choking or burning feeling in their throat. This discomfort may spread from your chest or shoulders to your neck.

Heart attack symptoms vary. They are not always sudden or severe. Many start slowly with only mild pain or discomfort. Some people experience one symptom, while others experience a combination. But the one thing all heart attacks have in common is that the sooner you receive treatment, the less damage will be done.

Arm

Arm

Discomfort, pain, heaviness or uselessness in one or both arms. People who have had a heart attack describe feelings of discomfort, numbness or tingling in their arm(s). This discomfort may spread from your chest to your arm(s).

Heart attack symptoms vary. They are not always sudden or severe. Many start slowly with only mild pain or discomfort. Some people experience one symptom, while others experience a combination. But the one thing all heart attacks have in common is that the sooner you receive treatment, the less damage will be done.

Jaw

Jaw

Discomfort or pain in your jaw. You may feel an ache or tightness in and around the lower jaw on either one or both sides. This discomfort can spread from your chest to your jaw.

Heart attack symptoms vary. They are not always sudden or severe. Many start slowly with only mild pain or discomfort. Some people experience one symptom, while others experience a combination. But the one thing all heart attacks have in common is that the sooner you receive treatment, the less damage will be done.

Back

Back

Discomfort or pain in your back. People who have had a heart attack describe feeling a dull ache in between their shoulder blades. This discomfort can spread from your chest to your back.

Heart attack symptoms vary. They are not always sudden or severe. Many start slowly with only mild pain or discomfort. Some people experience one symptom, while others experience a combination. But the one thing all heart attacks have in common is that the sooner you receive treatment, the less damage will be done.

Nauseous

Nauseous

You may feel nauseous or generally unwell while experiencing other heart attack symptoms.

Heart attack symptoms vary. They are not always sudden or severe. Many start slowly with only mild pain or discomfort. Some people experience one symptom, while others experience a combination. But the one thing all heart attacks have in common is that the sooner you receive treatment, the less damage will be done.

Dizzy

Dizzy

You may feel dizzy or light-headed while experiencing other heart attack symptoms.

Heart attack symptoms vary. They are not always sudden or severe. Many start slowly with only mild pain or discomfort. Some people experience one symptom, while others experience a combination. But the one thing all heart attacks have in common is that the sooner you receive treatment, the less damage will be done.

Cold Sweat

Cold Sweat

You may break out in a cold sweat while experiencing other heart attack symptoms.

Heart attack symptoms vary. They are not always sudden or severe. Many start slowly with only mild pain or discomfort. Some people experience one symptom, while others experience a combination. But the one thing all heart attacks have in common is that the sooner you receive treatment, the less damage will be done.

Shortness Of Breath

Shortness Of Breath

You may feel short of breath or have difficulty breathing. People who have had a heart attack describe finding it difficult to breathe or take a deep breath due to a tight or constricted feeling in their chest.

Heart attack symptoms vary. They are not always sudden or severe. Many start slowly with only mild pain or discomfort. Some people experience one symptom, while others experience a combination. But the one thing all heart attacks have in common is that the sooner you receive treatment, the less damage will be done.