The ETMC Cardiovascular Institute wants you to know it's important to act within the first five minutes of experiencing heart attack symptoms. The sooner you seek treatment, the more heart function you are likely to save.The heart is a muscle, and a heart attack results when it is deprived of oxygen. Without oxygen your heart rapidly deteriorates, so fast restoration of oxygen-supplying blood flow is essential.
We're providing this online guide to give you a few basics that may be helpful.
Learn more below about important steps you should take to assure good heart health. Heart attack symptomsIt's importnat to recognize the symptoms of heart disease and act promptly when they occur. The best idea is to dial 911 immediately. The most common symptoms include:
Pain
Both men and women experience pain as a heart attack symptom. Pain or discomfort will often be felt in the center of the chest. It may be persistent or it may fade and return. It could range from mild to extremely painful.
Other symptoms may include:
- Discomfort or pain in either or both arms, in the back, neck, jaw, or stomach
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea or vomiting
- Faintness or disorientation
- A cold sweat
Symptoms unique to women
Women may experience symptoms that are significantly different than men. Signs of heart attack in women, sometimes called anginal equivalents may include:
- Heartburn
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling tired or weak
- Coughing
- Heart flutters
Get your Heart Guide
Our heart attack guidecontains information and extras to help you stay informed about heart care and how to maintain a healthy heart.
This .pdf version of the ETMC and KLTV Heart Kit is printable and can be saved or passed on to friends and family members.
You'll also find information on reducing heart disease risk, clip-and-save information guides for wallet or purse and heart attack's warning signs.
You can also fill out a questionnaire to help determine your risk.
Download the guide.
E-mail us at info@etmc.org if you would like a hard copy mailed to you.
(You may wish to right click the image or link above and choose "save as" for faster download.)
Watch our ETMC KnowledgeFirst Forum on Heart Care
Dr. Scott Alan Wright, a cardiologist, with Cardiovascular Associates of East Texas, was the guest speaker for an installment of ETMC's monthly KnowledgeFirst community forum on taking care of the heart at each stage of life.
His presentation, "Heart Disease: A Problem For All Ages," offers an easy-to-understand overview of taking care of your heart. Dr. White focuses on the scope of the cardiovascular disease problem, risk factors you can control and the value of paying attention to your heart.
Related ETMC Pages
You will find more heart care and treatment information on these ETMC Cardiovascular Institute Pages: