When to Go to the Emergency Room for a Heart Attack
For many people, knowing when to seek emergency care isn't always clear. Most people know to call 911 right away when faced with a life-threatening situation, such as loss of consciousness, breathing trouble, or serious trauma. But heart attack symptoms aren't always as clear-cut. It may be hard to tell if the symptoms are a result of a heart crisis or heartburn, for example.
Remember, it is always better to be safe than sorry. If you feel it is an emergency, call 911 and ask them to send an ambulance right away.
Emergency medical services personnel can start caring for you or your loved one immediately, and they will alert the emergency room to let them know you are coming.
These heart attack symptoms warrant an immediate trip to the emergency room:
- Chest discomfort that feels like pressure, fullness, or a squeezing pain in the center or left side of your chest. It lasts for more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
- Pain and discomfort that extends beyond your chest to other parts of your upper body, such as one or both arms, back, neck, stomach, and jaw
- Unexplained shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort
- Any of the symptoms listed above that are accompanied by a cold sweat, nausea, lightheadedness, anxiety, or indigestion