What are the classic signs and symptoms of a heart attack?

The classic signs and symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain and shortness of breath. Chest pain is often described as a feeling of pressure, squeezing, or fullness in the center or left side of the chest, and it can last for more than a few minutes or go away and come back. Shortness of breath may occur with or without chest discomfort and can happen even during normal activities or at rest.

These symptoms are critical as they indicate a potential lack of oxygen to the heart muscle due to obstructed blood flow. Recognizing these symptoms allows for timely intervention, which is vital for improving outcomes in individuals experiencing a heart attack. Other symptoms can accompany these classic signs, such as nausea, sweating, or back pain, but chest pain and shortness of breath remain the hallmark indicators.