What does a heart attack feel like? Is it possible to get a minor one and not know it?
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M$3 Answers
My father once described his as: it felt like an elephant was standing on his chest, a suffocating feeling.
Sometimes there is pain and somethimes there isn't.
The pain can go through your left arm, neck, jaw, between the shoulder blades, almost like indigestion but worse. Some people have symptoms like shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, and vomiting.
I must also add that there is such a thing as a silent heart attack, there is no symptoms or warning signs.
So yes it is possible to get a minor one and not know it. If you suspect this may have happened you should go to the doctor and tell them your symptoms so they can run tests and see if there is some scarring, blockage, or abnormal beating of the heart.
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M$
"Symptoms of a heart attack include:
Discomfort, pressure, heaviness, or pain in the chest, arm, or below the breastbone
Discomfort radiating to the back, jaw, throat, or arm
Fullness, indigestion, or choking feeling (may feel like heartburn)
Sweating, nausea, vomiting, or dizziness
Extreme weakness, anxiety, or shortness of breath
Rapid or irregular heartbeats
During a heart attack, symptoms last 30 minutes or longer and are not relieved by rest or oral drugs.
Some people have a heart attack without having any symptoms (a "silent" myocardial infarction). A silent MI can occur in any person, though it is more common among diabetics"
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M$http://www.mahalo.com/answers/alcoholic-beverages/cocktail-drinkers-now-you-get-your-chance-what-is-your-favourite-mixed-drink-wines-excluded-they-get-their-own-question-later
see final answer on page for admission of age.
I understand your concern. If you were 40 or so, you'd have all the symptoms @lovie2000 described. Its probably gas, a cramp or could even be angina: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Angina/Angina_WhatIs.html
If you're worried, talk to your parents and go see a doctor. Do not try and diagnose this here on Mahalo.
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M$
Once again guys I stated:
"If you're worried, talk to your parents and go see a doctor. Do not try and diagnose this here on Mahalo. "
Let me emphasize: " Do not try and diagnose this here on Mahalo."
Sorry, I was thinking about this and wanted to edit my reply- but you already saw it..
Stress. Stress is a contributor to chest pain. Think about how you feel after a long hard sprint run, your chest is prob hurting. Mental stress releases the same chemicals as physical stress.
I was also thinking, I remember sharp pains when I was young as well. Happened randomly as I remember now, but I;m sure I was stressed about something.
true it can happen to anyone, be careful. if you're really worried, see a doctor.
It was just a thought I had, being that the death of Michael Jackson was all over the news. My friend was 21 when she died from a heart attack, so it could happen to anyone. I do get what you're saying though, I'm pretty young to worry about that yet.
That is true matthew, it doesn't matter what age you are .
I had a classmate in the 11th grade that died from a heart attack.
Age or "good health" should not immediately rule out a heart attack.
I was 17 when taken to the ER for a heart attack. I was healthy. Ran lots of miles every week. Track & cross-country.
I had an embolus pass through my heart. It wasn't electrical. Best guess was my broken wrist had dislodged a piece of bone or fat into the bloodstream. Nothing wrong electrically.
Gas, indigestion, muscle cramps...nothing resembling a heart problem. No stabbing pain. The elephant standing on your chest is a good analogy. In my case, the elephant sat down on me veeerrrrry slowly.
Even hypertension or stress is an OK reason to seek professional help. If it is affecting you physically, it's natural to seek relief.
Many medical groups will have a 24-hour nurse- or doctor-assisted hotline. They've got troubleshooting skills that can help determine if you need immediate attention or a follow-up with your regular physician.
Well every once in a while I get a quick and sharp feeling in my chest. That might just be gas or a cramp though. I'm not sure, that's why I asked. Thanks for the answer!
Sometimes those are some symptoms that are mistaken for warning signs of a heart attack. My aunt was popping rolaids back to back because she thought she had gas and it turned out that they were actually the first warnings that she was about to have a heart attack, and by her thinking it was just gas she didn't go to the doctor to get it checked and a couple of days later she had a heart attack at like 2 am in the morning.