Five Heart Attack Warning Signs You Need to Know Quick action to call 9-1-1 can save a life

Cesar Jara, M.D., FACC

​KEY WEST, FL, APRIL 24, 2026 - Your heart is one of the most important organs as it continually pumps oxygen and nutrient-rich blood around your body and any disruption can be life threatening. The coronary arteries that supply blood flow and oxygen to the heart can get clogged, and are the cause of heart attacks. Knowing five key symptoms can help you take quick action to save your life or someone else’s in an emergency.
 
Symptom 1: Chest pain or discomfort triggered by physical or emotional distress, especially in the center or on the left side of the chest, could be a sign that blood flow to the heart is being limited and is the most commonly recognized symptom of a heart attack. The feeling can last for more than a few minutes or repeatedly come and go. A squeezing sensation or feeling of fullness is often described as feeling like an elephant is sitting on the chest.
 
Symptom 2: Do not ignore discomfort that radiates to other parts of the body, including the neck, shoulders, arms, back or jaw.
 
Symptom 3: Sudden shortness of breath can be a sole symptom and can also happen when the blockage keeps the heart from pumping enough blood and causes fluid build-up in the lungs.
 
Symptom 4: Unusual or unexplained extreme tiredness can be a symptom of an impending heart attack.
 
Symptom 5: General malaise, nausea and lightheadedness can also mask heart attack symptoms.
 
“Knowing the symptoms of a heart attack can save a life because timely treatment is critical,” said Cesar Jara, M.D., FACC, board-certified interventional cardiologist with Keys Medical Group Cardiology and Lower Keys Medical Center cardiac catheterization lab. “The more time that passes without restoring blood flow, the greater the damage to the heart muscle. That damage is irreversible in some cases and increases the risk of sudden death.”
 
Lifesaving interventions have reduced deaths from heart attacks by 90 percent since 1970, but about 805,000 people still experience a heart attack each year in the United States.
 
Lower Keys Medical Center is committed to delivering timely treatment for heart attacks to support the best possible outcomes. The cardiac catheterization lab provides 24/7 interventional cardiology coverage so that patients can receive treatment within the optimal time frame of 90 minutes or less.  
 
If you, or someone you are with is experiencing unusual symptoms, call 9-1-1. 
 
Dr. Jara added, “If you have chest pain or discomfort, unusual fatigue or shortness of breath – take the symptoms seriously. It’s much better to get medical attention and act fast.”
 
Lower Keys Medical Center is accredited by the American College of Cardiology as a Chest Pain Center. 

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