They may feel like the chest is being crushed, squeezed or strangled. Some have described it as a burning-like indigestion. It may also feel as if the chest is being ripped apart from the breastbone. Other descriptions include tearing, gripping pain, fullness, numbness or tingling, or a pointed stabbing pain. Dizziness, weakness, shortness of breath and nausea may often occur along with the chest pain.
Some people can only describe the sensation as a discomfort.
T he difference between angina pain and the pain of a heart attack is that angina pain will subside with rest, heart attack pain will not. This pain usually covers an area the size of a fist. It may also move or radiate from the chest to the throat, jaw, arms and hands. Left arm discomfort is more common than right and the inner area of the arm is more often involved. It may also start in the arm and not be felt in the chest until shortly after.