In one study, people without chest pain experienced much higher complication and mortality rates than those with pain. Indications of a Heart Attack Angina that does not clear up when medications are taken is a signal to go to the hospital. Typically, the pain before a heart attack is unexpected, worse than any experienced, and lasts longer than 20 minutes. The degree of pain indicating a possible heart attack varies greatly between individuals, however, and early warning symptoms for heart attacks may be overlooked because they are mild or may not even occur. Sweating, a feeling of indigestion or heartburn, nausea and vomiting are common.
Some people report a great fear of impending death, a phenomena known as angor animi.
Women are more likely than men to be nauseous and experience pain high in the abdomen or chest. Their first symptom may be extreme fatigue after physical activity rather than chest pain. It should be noted that because chest pain in men is more apt to signal a heart attack, while chest pain in women is more likely to be caused by other problems, physicians might not be as alert to a heart problem when a woman complains of chest pain. Any chest pain should always be taken seriously. Calling 911 should be the first action taken .