Early Heart Attack Symptoms

What is EHAC?

Early Heart Attack Care (or EHAC) education teaches you to recognize the early signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Why? We want you to an active bystander so you can save a life - even if it's yours.

Learn the Early Signs & Symptoms

Feeling of fullness
Pain that travels down one or both arms
Jaw pain
Excessive fatigue or weakness
Anxiety
Nausea or vomiting
Back pain
Shortness of breath
Chest pressure, squeezing, aching, or burning

Men vs. Women Symptoms

Some heart attack symptoms can be different between men and women. Why does it matter? Women may be less likely to seek immediate medical care which can cause more damage to the heart.

Men normally feel pain and numbness in the left arm or side of chest, but in women, these symptoms may appear on the right side.
Women may feel completely exhausted, drained, dizzy
or nauseous.
Women may feel upper back pain that travels up into
their jaw.
Women may think their stomach pain is the flu, heartburn or an ulcer.

What are Atypical Presentations?

In an atypical presentation, the signs and symptoms are different. How? The patient may not complain about pain or pressure in the chest. Be alert for the following: