The symptoms of a heart attack can vary. Not everyone experiences the same or equally severe symptoms. Some people experience only mild pain, others more severe pain. Some people experience no symptoms at all; for others, the first sign may be sudden cardiac arrest.
As mentioned above, heart attacks can occur suddenly. However, many people notice warning signs and symptoms hours, days, or even weeks beforehand. The first sign may be a feeling of pressure or pain in the chest, which can be triggered by exertion and relieved by rest. Chest pressure, also known as angina pectoris, is caused by a temporary reduction in blood flow to the heart.
If you see someone unsteady and suspect a heart attack, call 911. Then check to see if the person has a pulse and is breathing normally. If the person isn't breathing and has no pulse, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to maintain blood flow.
You need to press quickly and firmly; you need to perform 100 or 120 compressions per minute.
If you are not trained in first aid (CPR), you should only perform chest compressions. However, if you are trained, you should open the airway and perform rescue breathing.
