Final answer:
Patients experiencing a heart attack often complain of chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, and dizziness, with chest pain and shortness of breath being the most prominent and consistent symptoms. The chest pain is typically described as a squeezing or pressure sensation and may not always be present, especially in female patients.
Step-by-step explanation:
Patients who are experiencing a heart attack often complain of symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, and dizziness. Specifically, the chest pain, referred to as angina pectoris, is typically a pressure or squeezing sensation that may radiate to different parts of the body, including the arms, neck, jaws, or back.
Shortness of breath (dyspnea), often accompanies the chest pain, as the heart struggles to deliver oxygen to the body. Patients may also experience sensations of nausea, which can sometimes be accompanied by vomiting, particularly during an acute myocardial infarction (MI), more commonly known as a heart attack.
Other potential symptoms of a heart attack include irregular heartbeat (palpitations), sweating (diaphoresis), anxiety, and fainting (syncope). It is crucial to note that while these symptoms are common, not all heart attacks present with clear signs.
In fact, some patients, especially women, may experience symptoms that vary from the classic presentation, such as pain in the lower chest or upper abdomen, or no pain at all. This discrepancy has historically led to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment, particularly in female patients.