The signs and symptoms of a heart attack include:

• Prolonged or severe chest pain or discomfort not relieved by rest or nitroglycerin. This involves uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center or left side of the chest that can be mild or strong. This pain or discomfort often lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.

• Nausea, vomiting, light-headedness or fainting, or breaking out in a cold sweat. These symptoms of a heart attack are more common in women.

• Shortness of breath. This may accompany chest discomfort or happen before it.

• Upper body discomfort. This can be felt in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or upper part of the stomach.