Chest pain is the most typical early symptom of a heart attack.
Unfortunately, many people experiencing chest discomfort deny that anything is wrong. This is the time when health professionals can do the most good. A patient who receives treatment within the first hour of an attack has the best chance of survival, so it's important to know the warning signs of a heart attack. Numbness or tingling in the left arm. Dizziness or faintness, sweating or nausea.