Are you having a heart attack?

Not all heart attacks are sudden and intense. Often, a heart attack begins slowly, producing mild pain or discomfort. According to the American Heart Association, these are the signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:

• Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms may include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath: This may occur with or without chest discomfort.
• Other signs: These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

Note: Women also have chest pain or discomfort as the most common heart attack symptom. However, women are more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, such as shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting and back or jaw pain.

If you suspect that you or someone else is having a heart attack, call 911—the emergency response number—that will alert emergency medical services staff, who can begin lifesaving treatment as soon as they arrive at your home.