Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. Since 1964, U.S. presidents have annually declared February American Heart Month. It’s an opportunity to reinforce the importance of heart health and the need for more research and efforts to ensure people live longer and healthier.
In most cases, heart disease is preventable when people adopt a healthy lifestyle, which includes not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling blood sugar and cholesterol, treating high blood pressure, exercising and getting annual physicals.
Knowing the facts about heart disease—as well as the signs, symptoms and risk factors—can help you take steps to protect your health and seek proper treatment if you need it.
Common heart attack symptoms include:
-
Chest pain that may feel like pressure, tightness, pain, squeezing or aching
-
Pain or discomfort that spreads to the shoulder, arm, back, neck, jaw, teeth or sometimes the upper belly
-
Cold sweat
-
Fatigue
-
Heartburn or indigestion
-
Light-headedness or sudden dizziness
-
Nausea
-
Shortness of breath
Women may have atypical symptoms such as brief or sharp pain felt in the neck, arm or back.
Call 9-1-1 if you think you’re having a heart attack.