Heart attack warning signs you need to know

Early intervention could save the life of someone if you suspect a heart attack. If unsure, don't hesitate. You'd rather be wrong than too late.

• Research has shown that treatment started within an hour of the onset of symptoms reduces the risk of death and lessens damage to the heart.
• The British Heart Foundation estimates that people who receive medical help within this timeframe are three times more likely to survive a heart attack. That is why it's important to recognize the symptoms, and why, if you suspect that someone is having a heart attack, you should call an ambulance within five minutes.

• Central chest pain
• Dull, aching discomfort or heaviness in the chest — often mistaken for indigestion
• Pain spreading to the arms, neck or jaw
• Nausea, feeling sick
• Feeling of impending doom
• Sweating, feeling cold and clammy to the touch
• Shortness of breath

• A sensation of squeezing or pressure around the chest
• Feeling generally unwell along with chest pain
• Pain in the chest that spreads to the back or abdomen
• Dizziness, feeling faint or light-headed, along with chest pain
• In women: pain in the back, jaw or abdomen, or unusual fatigue

• Symptoms of a heart attack vary from one person to another and may be less obvious in women than in men.
• Diabetics are more likely to have a "silent" attack, without chest pain; instead they may suffer shortness of breath, nausea, faintness or loss of consciousness.