| The pain of a heart attack is classically located in the centre of the chest or slightly to the left. Often described as crushing, squeezing or burning, it may radiate to the left arm, throat or jaw. Sometimes it may be located in the upper abdomen, where the ribs join the breastbone. It may be accompanied by cold sweat, breathing difficulty, nausea, pounding of the heart, and even fainting. The pain usually lasts for more than 20 minutes and is not relieved by rest or nitroglycerin tablets.
Less severe pain, which comes on only with exertion and is relieved by rest or nitroglycerin is called angina and is a sign of coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease is a condition in which the arteries which supply blood to the heart are narrowed or blocked by cholesterol laden plaques. |
