Heart Disease (Coronary Artery Disease) Slideshow Pictures Medical Illustrations of the Heart Image Collection Take the Heart Disease Quiz!

When to Seek Medical Care

Call your health care provider if you notice any of the following symptoms, which suggest angina:

• Chest pain, pressure or feeling of indigestion after physical exertion, which may or may not be relieved by rest
  
  
• Shoulder or arm pain involving left, right, or both sides during physical or mentally stressful activity
  
  
• Jaw pain, unexplained by another cause, like a sore tooth
  
  
• Shortness of breath after exertion or walking uphill
  
  
• Fainting spell
  
  
• Pain in the upper part of your abdomen
  
  
• Unexplained nausea, vomiting, or sweating
  
  
• Palpitations or dizziness

Call 911 or have someone take you immediately to a hospital emergency department if you have signs of a heart attack.

• The most crucial factor is time. Each year, thousands of Americans die because they do not seek medical attention quickly.
  
  
• Err on the side of caution and go to the hospital.
  
  
• This may prove to be the difference between life and death.

The most common symptoms of heart attack include the following:

• Unremitting or prolonged chest pain, chest pressure, or a feeling like heartburn
  
  
• Shoulder or arm pains (left or right) or upper abdominal pain that won't go away
  
  
• Shortness of breath after minimal activity or while resting
  
  
• Blackout spells
  
  
• Unexplained profuse sweating with or without nausea or vomiting
  
  
• Frequent chest pain or discomfort at rest