What are the signs of a heart attack?

Heart attack symptoms can happen suddenly, or they can come on gradually over the course of a day or weeks. When your heart doesn’t get the oxygen it needs, shortness of breath, chest pain and dizziness can set in. Not everyone experiences warning signs of a heart attack; however, knowing the symptoms of a heart attack, especially when you’re at a high risk, will allow you to get the help you need at the first signs of heart trouble.

Always call 911 if you or someone you know experiences any of the following symptoms:

• Pain, fullness, squeezing, burning or pressure in your chest that moves to your shoulders, arms, back, belly or jaw
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea
• Cold sweats
• Dizziness

If you experience heart attack symptoms, the experts at Goshen Heart & Vascular Center can diagnose your symptoms and provide award-winning emergency care. If you have a high risk for having a heart attack, talk to your primary care provider about receiving a heart screening. Or, if you want to talk to someone at the Heart & Vascular Center, call (574) 533-7476 to make an appointment.

Hands-only CPR

Most people who experience cardiac arrest at home, work or in a public location die because they don't receive immediate CPR from someone on the scene. Watch this video to learn the life-saving skill of hands-only CPR.

Exceptional heart attack treatment at Goshen Heart & Vascular Center

Our fast door-to-balloon times mean we’re prepared to treat a heart attack patient quickly and safely once the patient enters our ER — and with less invasive heart attack treatment. Since the 1990s, heart attacks are treated using minimally invasive procedures that enter the body through the wrist or groin (instead of open heart surgery).

With leading-edge communication systems in local ambulance units and collaboration between EMS, ER and heart specialists, our doctors can better prepare for a patient’s arrival and treatment needs. Our intricate emergency system of care helps save lives and prevent serious heart muscle and vascular damage.

Heart attack symptoms in men

Men often experience the most commonly reported heart attack symptoms, such as chest pain and shortness of breath. Other symptoms that may be present include:

• Sweating
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Pain that radiates down the left arm and into the jaw area

Heart attack symptoms in women

Some women experience heart attack symptoms that are unique to them. In addition to the regular symptoms, some women may be unusually fatigued or have pain in the center of their back or shoulders. Because these symptoms aren’t typical of a heart attack, it can be difficult to discern whether or not they’re a true emergency.

If you have unexplainable fatigue or other abnormal symptoms, it’s best to report these to your doctor. The earlier you receive treatment, the quicker we may be able to preserve your heart. 

Award-winning treatment for heart attacks

A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked. And when it comes to saving lives and vital heart tissue, heart attack patients need prompt, efficient care. At Goshen Heart & Vascular Center, our high standard of care for heart attack patients has been repeatedly recognized and awarded recognition by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) since its inception in 2012. We have consistently earned the ACC’s NCDR Chest Pain - MI Registry™ Platinum Performance Achievement Award since its inception.

The award recognizes our commitment and success in providing excellent treatment and preventive care for heart attacks.

About Chest Pain - MI Registry™ performance guidelines

Goshen Heart & Vascular Center consistently followed the treatment guidelines in Chest Pain - MI Registry™ for eight consecutive quarters and met a performance standard of 90 percent for specific performance measures. The registry is a partnership between the American College of Cardiology Foundation and the AHA with partnering support from the American College of Emergency Physicians and the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care. For more information about the Chest Pain - MI Registry™ Platinum Performance Achievement Award, visit ACC Action.