Chest pain. It's the classic symptom that means "heart attack" to many people. However, a study of more than 400,000 heart attack sufferers reveals that about one-third of patients do not experience chest pain. And it's these "silent" heart attacks that may be the most deadly.

Age and Gender May Affect Warning Signs
Studies show that certain groups are less likely to experience chest pain with a heart attack. These include women, non-Caucasians of either sex and people who have had a stroke. In addition, patients who are age 75 or older or who have nerve damage caused by diabetes may not be able to sense pain well, meaning they may not be aware of any chest discomfort during a heart attack. And people who experienced chest pain with a previous heart attack may not have it the next time.

Many people are not as familiar with other heart attack warning signs and delay getting to the hospital -- or don't go at all -- because they may think that the warning signs they are experiencing aren't serious. This contributes to the higher death rate for patients who suffer heart attacks without chest pain.

Newer medications and procedures are highly effective in treating a heart attack. But they must be administered within one hour after symptoms begin.

Recognizing Symptoms Can Save Your Life
A heart attack can cause a wide range of warning signs other than chest pain. These may include:

• Shortness of breath
• Nausea or vomiting
• Pain that radiates down one or both arms
• Back, neck, jaw or stomach pain
• Breaking out in a cold sweat
• Severe headache (especially in older adults)
• Dizziness or fainting
• Anxiety, weakness or a strong feeling of doom

Always err on the side of caution. Hesitating out of fear of embarrassment may have serious health consequences. If you're not sure what you're experiencing, let the doctors decide whether or not it's a false alarm.

Take Heart -- We're Here to Help
CRMC's Cardiac Catheterization Lab is expertly staffed and well-qualified to treat heart attack victims. You can reduce heart attack risks through regular screenings and other preventive measures. Just call Direct Doctors^SM Plus at 1-800-882-4362 for a free physician referral.

800 South Main St., Corona, CA 92882