What is a common symptom of a heart attack?

A common symptom of a heart attack is chest discomfort. This sensation can vary from pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center or left side of the chest. It may last for more than a few minutes or go away and come back. The reason chest discomfort is recognized as a key indicator is that it often reflects the heart's struggle during a myocardial infarction (heart attack), typically caused by blocked blood flow.

Recognizing chest discomfort can be critical for prompt medical intervention, which can save lives. While symptoms such as fatigue, stomach cramps, and headaches might occur in certain situations, they are not primary indicators associated with heart attacks and often relate to other health issues.