It's easy to discern whether the chest pain you are experiencing is a heart attack, heartburn, or another type of ailment. There are numerous centers around the world to help you determine specifically the type of pain you are having, so you don't have to decide for yourself.

If you've ever felt the tightening in your chest, you're not alone. Heart disease is the number-one killer for both men and women. More people visit emergency rooms and heart centers for chest pain than anything else. Heart attack symptoms can vary from person to person, though. The attack is not always sudden or intense like a lot of people believe. Many heart attacks can start slowly with only mild pain and the severity can creep in over time.

You may think you have pulled a muscle, or that you have the flu, as symptoms occasionally present themselves as such. Every heart attack is different. If you've suffered a previous heart attack, symptoms of a recurring one may not be the same.

Surviving a heart attack is by choosing to recognize the symptoms quickly and getting help immediately. Moments can count. By understanding the symptoms you will be ensured of getting the right treatment you need. Symptoms range wildly between person to person, and women especially should be aware of nausea, vomiting cold sweats, of being light headed, and arm or back pain.

As you have read, you cannot always tell if what you are experiencing is a heart attack. Symptoms are not always just crushing chest pain. If you have any thought that this may be a heart attack or if you or any one in your family has heart disease then call 911 or have someone to drive you immediately to the hospital or a heart treatment center

Even if you aren't certain that it is a heart attack, seek treatment immediately. Your chances of surviving are greatly increased if you react as soon as the issue arises. You'll also be ensuring that the potentially negative impact on your health and functioning is minimized.