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Call 911 or emergency medical help if you think you might be having a heart attack. Someone having a heart attack may have any or all of the following:

• Chest pain, pressure or tightness, or a squeezing or aching sensation in the center of the chest
• Pain or discomfort that spreads to the shoulder, arm, back, neck, jaw, teeth or occasionally upper abdomen
• Nausea, indigestion, heartburn or abdominal pain
• Shortness of breath
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting
• Sweating

A heart attack generally causes chest pain for more than 15 minutes. Some people have mild chest pain, while others have more-severe pain. The discomfort is commonly described as a pressure or chest heaviness, although some people have no chest pain or pressure at all. Women tend to have more-vague symptoms, such as nausea or back or jaw pain.

Some heart attacks strike suddenly, but many people have warning signs hours or days in advance.