Heart Attack Signs and Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore

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Some women, like Sharon, delay seeking medical care because they mistakenly think that crushing chest pain is the only sign of a heart attack.

“It can be very hard to tell the difference,” Hayes says. “To help decide if it’s a more subtle heart attack symptom or the run-of-the-mill reflux, treat your symptom with what has worked for you in the past. But if the antacid you took for heartburn doesn’t work the way it usually does, the pain or discomfort doesn’t get better, or it gets worse, call 911.”

But Yancy repeats that time is of the essence. If there has been a noticeable change in your symptom—you have an abrupt onset of chest pain or the uncomfortable feeling of indigestion migrates into your chest—you don’t want to wait any longer than 5–10 minutes to call an ambulance. “Any pain in or around your chest should be treated as a great concern,” Yancy says.