If you think you or someone nearby may be having a heart attack, call 112 now and ask for emergency medical help. In India, 112 is the national emergency number for services including ambulance assistance. Do not wait to finish reading or to see whether symptoms settle. Government of India: about 112.
This article is about recognising an emergency and limiting delay. Recognising symptoms does not prevent a heart attack from starting. However, prompt treatment can reduce heart damage and may save a life.
It may not look like a film scene
A heart attack happens when blood flow to heart muscle is reduced or blocked. Some attacks begin with dramatic pain; others start with mild discomfort or symptoms that come and go. The severity of pain alone cannot tell you how serious the problem is. NHLBI explains how symptoms can vary.
Warning signs can include:
- Pressure, tightness, squeezing, heaviness or pain in the chest.
- Discomfort spreading to one or both arms, the back, shoulders, neck, jaw or upper abdomen.
- Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort.
- A cold sweat, nausea, light-headedness or unusual tiredness.
You do not need to have every sign. Chest discomfort is common in both women and men. Women may also have less-recognised symptoms such as breathlessness, nausea or unusual fatigue. Do not dismiss possible symptoms because someone is a woman, appears fit or does not have severe chest pain. The American Heart Association lists warning signs.
Do not diagnose “gas” at home
A heart attack can resemble indigestion. Older adults and people with diabetes may have especially mild symptoms or a silent heart attack. A home blood pressure reading or temporary improvement cannot establish the cause of suspicious discomfort. Medical assessment, including an ECG and blood tests when appropriate, is needed. NHLBI discusses silent attacks. The NHS explains assessment.
Call first, then follow instructions
Tell the emergency operator your location, symptoms and when they began. Do not drive yourself. An ambulance team can begin assessment and treatment while arranging hospital care. If access to an ambulance is difficult, ask the emergency operator for the safest immediate transport advice rather than simply waiting at home.
While help is coming, stop exertion and rest in a comfortable position. If you are helping someone, stay with them and watch for changes in responsiveness and breathing. Do not delay the call while looking for medicines or trying home remedies. The NHS describes what to do while awaiting help.
Do not self-prescribe aspirin or take it and wait for improvement. An emergency operator or healthcare professional can advise whether it is suitable after considering risks such as allergy or bleeding. Read the American Heart Association’s aspirin advice.
If the person collapses
If someone becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally, alert 112 immediately and follow instructions for CPR. A heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest, but they are different emergencies. Learning CPR before it is needed is a useful step for every household. The American Heart Association provides CPR learning resources.
General patient education only. This article does not replace a personal medical assessment, diagnosis or treatment plan. Editorial sources were checked on 17 October 2026; this is not a clinician review. Risk-reduction measures cannot guarantee prevention. Recommendations and local services may change.
Sources
Prepared for EndYourIllness, 2026. The explanatory text is original; linked publications retain their respective copyrights. Featured illustrations are AI-generated educational artwork, not clinical photographs or diagnostic images.
