Final answer:
A sudden and severe headache is not a typical symptom of a heart attack. Typical symptoms include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, sweating, and pain radiating to body parts like arms or jaw. It's important to seek medical attention if these symptoms are present, but note that some heart attacks may occur without any symptoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Symptoms of Heart Attack
Any of the following symptoms lasting more than two minutes may signal the start of a heart attack: chest discomfort or pain (angina pectoris), which is often a result of the heart muscle becoming starved of oxygen, shortness of breath (dyspnea), nausea or vomiting, cold sweats (diaphoresis), and pain that radiates down the arm or into the jaw. However, a sudden and severe headache is not a typical symptom of a heart attack. While many symptoms such as chest pain or discomfort can spread to different parts of the body, including the arms, neck, and back, and may also be associated with shortness of breath, sweating, or nausea, a severe headache is more commonly related to other conditions, such as a stroke.
It is important to recognize that symptoms of a heart attack can vary between individuals, and they can also differ between men and women. Men often experience pain radiating down the left arm, while women may not. Nonetheless, the presence of symptoms such as angina, or chest pain, and other indicators like shortness of breath or discomfort spreading to other body areas should prompt immediate medical attention as they could indicate coronary heart disease or an impending myocardial infarction (MI). Treating coronary artery disease aims to relieve these symptoms and slow the progression of atherosclerosis in the heart's arteries.
Lastly, while many heart attacks present with clear symptoms, it's crucial to note that between 22 and 64 percent of MIs can occur without any symptoms, known as "silent" myocardial infarctions.