Most heart attacks begin slowly and progress over a few minutes. Heart attacks are typically characterized by minor discomfort or pain, such as pressure, tightness, fullness, or radiating pain to the neck, jaw, or arm, as well as shortness of breath, nausea, perspiration, and paleness. Diabetes patients and women may not have the normal symptoms of chest pain and may just experience a few of the accompanying symptoms (such as shortness of breath or nausea).