What Does a Heart Attack Feel Like?

Drama surrounds Hollywood’s depictions of a heart attack. A character clutches their chest as they gasp in shock and horror. Then, they stagger and collapse into a twisted heap. (End scene.)

But in real life, that’s not what most people typically experience during a heart attack. Symptoms tend to be far more subtle. In some cases, you might not feel anything in your chest and instead, have other symptoms that you’d never think to connect with your heart.

So, how do you know if you’re having a heart attack? Let’s find out from cardiologist Jacqueline Tamis-Holland, MD.

What a heart attack can feel like in your body

It’s true that, in general, chest pain or discomfort is the “classic” — and most common — symptom of a heart attack. But how a heart attack feels can vary based on your sex, age and underlying conditions, which means they can feel very different from person to person. The feelings also vary from mild to intense.

“Besides chest discomfort, other symptoms include nausea, profuse sweating, shortness of breath and more,” Dr. Tamis-Holland explains.

Chest discomfort might be all that you feel. Or you might have chest discomfort along with other symptoms. It’s also possible to have other symptoms without feeling anything in your chest.

Confused? You’re not alone. Let’s take a deeper dive into some common heart attack symptoms and what exactly you might feel.

Mild to intense chest pain or pressure

The movies would have us believe that heart attacks cause the most intense chest pain you’ve ever felt in your life. In some cases, that’s true. But it’s often far less dramatic.

“Some people think that if the pain’s not so terrible, it can’t be a heart attack,” Dr. Tamis-Holland says. “But that’s a misnomer. It could be mild or very subtle and still be a heart attack.”

You could feel any of the following in your chest:

• Dull ache
• Pressure that ranges from mild to “an elephant sitting on your chest”
• Squeezing
• Tightness
• A sense of fullness or like you have to burp
• Burning (which may extend to your upper belly)
• Intense, sharp or severe pain

Pain in your upper belly, back, arm, neck or jaw

The pain you feel in your chest might spread to nearby areas. It’s also possible to feel pain or vague discomfort in other areas, even if your chest feels fine. 

“You might notice pain or discomfort in other areas of your upper body, besides your chest — anywhere from your belly button up to your jaw,” Dr. Tamis-Holland reports.

It might feel like:

• Upper belly pain: Some people only experience a burning discomfort or a fullness, like they need to burp. They mistake this for acid reflux or an upset stomach.
• Back pain: Upper back pain, generally between the shoulder blades, can represent a heart attack or another serious condition called an aortic dissection.
• Shoulder or arm pain: This pain is often in the left shoulder or arm, and has been described as an “ache.”
• Jaw or throat pain: You may have pain in these areas or other sensations, like a tightness in your throat.

Shortness of breath

We all have to stop and catch our breath from time to time. But with a heart attack, you may have shortness of breath that’s not usual for you. Even if you’re barely moving, you might still struggle to take in enough air.

“Sometimes, when people are having a big heart attack, they don’t even feel like they can lie down because they’re so short of breath,” Dr. Tamis Holland says.

Sweating a lot

Profuse sweating is a common sign of a heart attack, especially when it occurs along with shortness of breath. In fact, for people with diabetes, these are often the only symptoms.

“If you’re profusely sweating and you’re even just a little short of breath, something’s not right,” Dr. Tamis-Holland cautions.

Nausea or vomiting

These symptoms can accompany chest pain or occur on their own, which is especially common in people with diabetes. People over age 65 are also more likely to have atypical symptoms, like nausea and profuse sweating, rather than the classic chest pain.

Do men and women experience heart attacks differently?

There’s a common misconception that women are less likely than men to have chest pain. But that’s simply not true. You’re equally likely to have chest pain or discomfort, no matter your sex.

Dr. Tamis-Holland clarifies: “Women are just as likely as men to have chest pain. But women, especially as they get older, are more likely to have atypical symptoms — either along with the chest pain or instead of it.”

That means women might feel symptoms that could be confused with something far less serious. A sense of fullness in your chest and nausea? That’s easy to write off as indigestion. But when you’re aware that they can be heart attack symptoms, you may respond differently.

What a heart attack doesn’t feel like

It’s likely not a heart attack if you feel:

• A prickling sensation in your chest
• Pain that gets worse with deep breath
• Pain that gets better or worse when you turn, twist or move in a certain position
• Heart palpitations as your only symptom (but they can occur along with other heart attack symptoms)

But these feelings are still worth taking seriously.

“Each person’s body is different,” clarifies Dr. Tamis-Holland. “But these aren’t what we’d call classic heart attack symptoms. Still, they might require immediate medical attention for other reasons. So, you should call a healthcare provider or call 911 without delay.”

Trust your gut

You know your body best. When something doesn’t feel right, even if you can’t quite explain it, seek medical care. A heart attack can cause all the feelings we listed, or just one or two. And remember that although chest discomfort is common, it’s not a necessary requirement for a heart attack.

“Many people who have heart attacks experience some type of chest pain or discomfort,” Dr. Tamis-Holland notes. “But don’t rule out a heart attack just because your chest feels fine.”

The bottom line? Call 911 or your local emergency number if you think that you could be having a heart attack. Don’t drive or let anyone else drive you — an ambulance, under the care of first responders, is the safest way for you to travel to the hospital.

“Act fast,” Dr. Tamis-Holland urges. “The more time that passes, the more damage can occur to your heart.”