Heart attack - Symptoms of a heart attack

Dial 999 immediately if you suspect that you or someone you know is having a heart attack.

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

Although the chest pain is often severe, some people may only experience minor pain, similar to indigestion. In some cases, there may not be any chest pain at all, especially in women, the elderly and people with diabetes.

When to call an ambulance

It's the overall pattern of symptoms that helps to determine whether you are having a heart attack.

Do not worry if you have doubts. Assume that you are having a heart attack and dial 999 to ask for an ambulance immediately.

Paramedics would rather be called out to find an honest mistake has been made than be too late to save a person’s life.

Waiting for the ambulance

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 are waiting for the ambulance to arrive.

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:

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.
Using your body weight (not just your arms), press straight down by 5-6cm on their chest.
Repeat this until an ambulance arrives.

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

Watch this video on CPR for more information about how to perform "hands-only" CPR.

The above advice only applies to adults. For information about how to perform CPR in children, see how to resuscitate a child.

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.

The charity Arrhythmia Alliance has more information about AEDs.

Heart attacks: A heart attack happens when there is a blockage in one of the arteries in the heart.
Heart: The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood around the body.
Nausea: Nausea is when you feel like you are going to be sick.
Pain: Pain is an unpleasant physical or emotional feeling that your body produces as a warning sign that it has been damaged.
Vomiting: Vomiting is when you bring up the contents of your stomach through your mouth.