Am I Having a Heart Attack? 7 Symptoms Men Should Never Ignore

When men experience what may appear to be a heart attack symptoms, they shouldn't hesitate in seeking emergency medical treatment.

Unfortunately, men often ignore the symptoms because they are uncertain about what they are feeling and don’t want to be embarrassed by a simple diagnosis, such as heartburn. When suspecting a possible heart attack, it's best to call 911 for an emergency response instead of driving to the hospital. Medical teams can provide immediate oxygen or medication if necessary.

Here are seven heart attack symptoms men should not ignore:

1. Chest pain, discomfort or pressure are common symptoms involving a heart attack. Symptoms might include an intense or tight ache, fullness or squeezing in the chest. It may last for more than a few minutes and the pain or discomfort might come and go.

ALERT: 4 Things You'll Feel Before a Heart Attack

2. Discomfort or pain might be felt in one or both arms, the neck, jaw, back or the stomach. Sometimes the chest pain might spread to these areas, or the pains might happen when there is no chest pain, says WebMD.

3. Shortness of breath during rest or with minimal exertion could indicate heart attack or heart failure. This symptom could occur without other symptoms such as chest pain or it might include chest pain. Survivors of heart attacks report the breathlessness feels like they've just experienced running a marathon.

4. Sweating, lightheadedness or nausea may occur. The dizziness or illness causes people to feel they might faint. They can break out into a sudden cold seat with clammy skin without performing any activity.

URGENT: Assess Your Heart Attack Risk in Minutes. Click Here.

5. Abdominal discomfort may become painful. It may include heartburn symptoms or feelings of indigestion. Some people with severe heartburn symptoms may feel like they are having a heart attack, but seeking medical attention is important to be sure. The symptom can occur alone or following chest pain.

6. Some heart attack survivors report having sudden anxiety. They experience a feeling of doom or that they're having a panic attack. The intense anxiety can bring on a fear of death.

7. Heart attack symptoms for men may include a rapid or irregular pulse rate along with other symptoms such as weakness and shortness of breath. An occasional skipped heartbeat doesn’t indicate a heart attack, but a sudden and rapid change to the pulse could signal heart attack or heart failure.

This article is for information only and is not intended as medical advice. Talk with your doctor about your specific health and medical needs.

Related Stories:

• High Blood Pressure Requires Swift Treatment: Study

• Hospital Is Bad Place for Heart Attack