Heart Health
Heart Attack Warning Signs — Including the Ones Women Often Miss
Updated September 8, 2026 · 5 min read
Acting fast during a heart attack saves heart muscle and lives. Yet many people delay because their symptoms don't match the dramatic chest-clutching image.
Common symptoms
- Chest pain, pressure, squeezing or fullness lasting more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back
- Pain spreading to one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach
- Shortness of breath
- Cold sweat, nausea or light-headedness
Symptoms that are easier to miss
Women, older adults and people with diabetes are more likely to have less typical symptoms, sometimes without obvious chest pain:
- Unusual fatigue, sometimes for days beforehand
- Indigestion-like discomfort or nausea
- Upper back or jaw pain
- Breathlessness with minimal effort
What to do immediately
Call your local emergency number straight away — don't drive yourself. Emergency services may advise chewing an aspirin if you are not allergic and have no reason to avoid it. Stay calm and rest while waiting.
Reduce your risk
Controlling blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, not smoking, staying active and maintaining a healthy weight are the strongest ways to lower your risk.
Related reading
How to Lower Blood Pressure Naturally: 8 Evidence-Based Habits
Lifestyle changes proven to lower blood pressure, including the DASH diet, salt reduction, exercise and alcohol limits.
6 min readHeart HealthCholesterol Explained: LDL, HDL, Triglycerides and What to Aim For
A simple explanation of a cholesterol test, what each number means, and how diet and lifestyle affect them.
6 min readHeart HealthHidden Salt: Where Sodium Hides and How to Cut Back
The surprising sources of sodium in everyday foods and practical ways to cut salt for better blood pressure.
4 min read