Symptoms of a heart attack

The following symptoms may mean you are having a heart attack:

• dull or crushing pain in the center of the chest which lasts more than 20 minutes
• pain that radiates into the arms, elbow, shoulder, back, neck or jaw
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• rapid or irregular pulse
• sweating
• nausea or vomiting
• feelings of apprehension
• loss of consciousness

If you think you are having a heart attack, don't waste time waiting for your symptoms to get better. Get to the closest emergency room where doctors can begin immediate treatment and reduce the chance of permanent damage to your heart muscle.

Baptist Hospital East has a special Chest Pain Unit in the Emergency Department where people with chest pain can be evaluated.

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