A heart attack occurs every 40 seconds in the United States. According to the National Center for Health Statistics heart disease is the biggest cause of death in the United States, killing about 700,000 people by 2022.
Heart attacks are typically shown in the media as someone doubling over and clutching their chest.
Some people may experience pain in their arms, neck, jaw, or stomach, according to the American Heart Association.
Others report shortness of breath that may or may not be accompanied by chest pain.
Women may dismiss a heart attack because their nausea, lightheadedness, or cold sweat mimic the illness.
They may also believe they have acid reflux or other aging symptoms. Another indicator of a heart attack is upper back pressure or pain that feels like a rope wrapped around the chest and back.
It may seem counterintuitive that a heart attack might induce back discomfort, but understanding what triggers a heart attack is important.
Plaques can grow along the walls of your arteries and eventually break off into clots, according to Phoenix Heart.