When you think of a heart attack, you probably picture someone clutching their chest in sudden pain. But not all heart attacks look like that. In fact, many early warning signs are subtle, easy to overlook, or mistaken for something else entirely.
Our team of experts at Harlem Cardiology believes that knowing what to watch for can save lives. Read on as Dr. Henock Saint-Jacques shares five warning signs of a heart attack that often get ignored—and why you shouldn’t brush them off.
Feeling tired after a long day is normal, but sudden or extreme fatigue that doesn’t match your activity level can be a red flag, especially for women. If everyday tasks like walking up stairs or carrying groceries feel harder than usual, your heart may not be pumping efficiently.
Chest pain is common in heart attacks, but pain can also show up in places like the jaw, neck, upper back, or shoulders.
According to a 2024 study, only 1% of people surveyed had a strong understanding of heart attack symptoms, including chest pain, shoulder pain, and epigastric discomfort. In fact, just 1.9% correctly identified shoulder pain as a potential warning sign of a heart attack.
This type of discomfort — especially if it comes on suddenly or during activity — should not be ignored.
If you’re struggling to catch your breath without a clear reason (like exercise or illness), your heart could be in distress. Shortness of breath may happen before or along with chest pain, or it may be the only symptom.
Some people experience nausea, cold sweats, dizziness, or fainting during a heart attack. These symptoms are often dismissed as the flu or low blood sugar, but they can signal something more serious, especially when combined with other signs.
Not all chest pain is sharp. Many heart attacks cause a feeling of pressure, fullness, or squeezing in the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or comes and goes.
The bottom line is that if you feel something that doesn’t feel right, get checked immediately.
Many common conditions can mimic heart attack symptoms — for example, a simple shoulder strain can cause shoulder pain, or indigestion might feel like chest discomfort.
If you are having a heart attack, emergency professionals may give you medications like aspirin to thin your blood or nitroglycerin to improve blood flow to the heart. In more severe cases, you may also need procedures like angioplasty or bypass surgery to restore proper circulation.
But the timing matters! For the best outcome, a person having a heart attack should receive treatment within 90 minutes of arriving at the hospital—a timeframe known as “door-to-balloon time.” This refers to the time from when you enter the ER to when a blocked artery is opened with a balloon during angioplasty.
Knowing the warning signs of a heart attack is just part of the puzzle. You should also consider taking steps to reduce your risk of having a heart attack.
That’s where we come into the picture. Dr. Saint-Jacques provides expert care, advanced screenings, and personalized treatment to help you protect your heart health.
Dr. Saint-Jacques specializes in managing conditions like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and coronary artery disease — conditions that can increase your risk of having a heart attack.
He provides care that includes lifestyle guidance — such as heart-healthy nutrition and regular exercise — along with proven treatment strategies to reduce your risk of a future heart attack.
Think you’re at risk? Call us today to schedule an evaluation. You can also reach our East Harlem, New York, office at 646-381-2181.
