Spasms of the coronary arteries can also result in a heart attack. A heart attack may feel as if someone is applying intense pressure to the chest. This pain may last for several minutes, often extending to the shoulder, arm, neck, or jaw. Other signs of heart attack include sweating, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, feelings of anxiety, difficulty swallowing, sudden ringing in the ears, and loss of speech. The amount and type of chest pain vary from one person to another.
Some people have intense pain, while others feel only mild discomfort.
Many mistake the signs of a heart attack for indigestion. Hypertension is an extremely common form of cardiovascular disease. Kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, disorders of the pituitary or adrenal glands, and the use of oral contraceptives can also lead to hypertension, and heredity may be a factor. Untreated hypertension is the leading cause of stroke, and also greatly increases the risk of heart attack, heart failure, and kidney failure. Other types of cardiovascular disease include heart failure, arrhythmias, and valvular disease.