Heart attack: Tell-tale signs of heart attack

"I thought it was acute bloating but I was having a heart attack." "I felt a throbbing pain in my jaw but it was a heart attack." "I was heavily panting and sweaty, it was a heart attack."

The most recognised symptom of heart attack is chest pain or discomfort. But some signs can be vague and harder to spot if you are not well aware.

According to Padma Shri Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal, President-Elect, IMA and President, Heart Care Foundation of India, chest discomfort as a feeling of pressure and tightness lasting longer than 30 seconds can be a sign of heart attack. However, while it is the most recognized symptom, it may not always be present.

"Chest discomfort, a pain especially on exertion, also associated with pain in jaw or throat, can also be a sign of a heart disease," says Dr S.K. Gupta, Sr. Consultant (Interventional Cardiology), Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals.

Lingering pain that spreads to the arms is a common sign of heart attack. The pain can radiate to the neck, jaw, stomach or even your back. The pain can be severe in some cases and simply discomforting in others. A recent survey conducted by Fortis Hospital, Mulund in Mumbai, among more than 6,000 people revealed that 68 per cent lacked awareness about radiating pain in jaw, arms, shoulders, abdomen and back and 85 per cent lacked awareness about nausea associated Epigastric (upper abdominal) pain – important symptoms of a Heart Attack.

Indigestion, nausea, heartburn, or even stomach pain present with some shortness of breath are some more common signs of cardiac arrest.

If you are experiencing incidences of cold sweat for no reason or are feeling lightheaded, you must rush to the hospital; especially if these symptoms are present with some discomfort in the chest or pain elsewhere.

A general feeling of being unwell or lethargic is also a sign of heart attack.

September 29 is World Heart Day.

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the Doctors are their independent professional judgment and we do not take any responsibility for the accuracy of their views. This should not be considered as a substitute for Physician's advice. Please consult your treating Physician for more details.