10 Critical Symptoms That Could Mean a Heart Attack: Act Fast

9. Abdominal Pain

An individual who experiences a heart attack may develop abdominal pain due to problems with the flow of blood to their digestive organs. The buildup of plaque in the arteries can cause the arteries that supply the digestive tract with blood to become too narrow or fully blocked. This blockage is the same mechanism that occurs in the coronary arteries that produces a heart attack. When blood supply is cut off from the muscular tissues of the heart or digestive organs, the cells that make up these tissues begin to die. This tissue necrosis is what produces a type of pain known as angina. Abdominal pain that occurs during a heart attack is the equivalent of angina that occurs in the digestive organs. Abdominal pain related to poor blood flow to the digestive organs may also be the result of the redirection of blood away from the area to supply other vital tissues during a heart attack.

10. Overwhelming Anxiety or Sense of Impending Doom

Beyond the physical sensations, a surprisingly common yet often overlooked symptom of a heart attack is a sudden, intense, and inexplicable feeling of anxiety or a profound sense of impending doom. This isn't just nervousness; individuals may describe it as a terrifying feeling that something is terribly wrong, even if other physical symptoms are initially subtle, confusing, or atypical. This psychological distress can be a powerful, albeit frightening, indicator from your body that a life-threatening event is unfolding. Trusting this overwhelming gut feeling and seeking immediate emergency medical help is critical, even if classic chest pain is absent.