We ve all seen the fictional heart attack victim on TV, grabbing his chest and dropping to the ground. Signs of a heart attack can be sudden and acute in some victims, chronic and much more subtle in others especially in women. Research shows one in three people die from a heart attack within the first few hours of experiencing chest pain.
Pain spreads to the shoulder, neck or arm.
Chest discomfort is accompanied by lightheadedness, nausea, fainting, unusual fatigue, sweating or shortness of breath. Chronic fatigue and gastric upset are more common in women. Time is crucial. Getting immediate medical attention at the first sign of a heart attack can drastically improve a patient s chances for survival. February is American Heart Month.