Signs of a heart attack
Dismissing it as indigestion is the most common mistake.
The signs
- Squeezing or pressing pain in the centre of the chest — lasting minutes or recurring
- Pain spreading — to the left arm, shoulder, neck, jaw or back
- Cold sweat, nausea, vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness, fainting
- In women, older people and diabetics it can appear without chest pain — as indigestion or fatigue.
What to do immediately
- Call 119 — say "chest pain, suspected heart attack".
- Stop what you're doing and sit or lie comfortably.
- Loosen tight clothing.
- If there is no consciousness and no breathing, start CPR at once. See cpr.
- If an AED is nearby, fetch it and follow the voice prompts.
- Don't drive yourself. You can deteriorate on the way.
What not to do
- "Take an indigestion remedy and wait"
- Enduring it alone
- Leaving the person alone
- Giving medicines on your own initiative — follow the doctor's or 119's instructions.
AEDs
- Installed in subway stations, public buildings, apartment complexes and large buildings.
- Switch it on and voice guidance begins. Just follow it.
- See first-aid-basics and cpr for how.
Where to go
- 119 immediately
- 1339 Korea Disease Control Agency
- 1345 interpretation
- e-gen www.e-gen.or.kr
Questions people ask
The pain has gone. Do I still need a doctor? Yes. It may be angina, and a warning of a major attack. Be seen the same day.
Can it happen to young people? It is not rare. Smoking, overwork and stress raise the risk.
My check-up showed high cholesterol. A risk factor for heart disease. Manage it regularly. See chronic-disease.
My chest hurt while working. Heart disease linked to overwork can be recognised as an industrial accident. Keep records and ask 1588-0075.
Take care
The faster you act after symptoms begin, the more heart muscle survives. Don't delay because it's early morning or you're at work. With no consciousness and no breathing, start chest compressions immediately and send someone for an AED.
Related
stroke-signs · cpr · first-aid-basics · emergency-symptoms · chronic-disease
Source
Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency www.kdca.go.kr / As of 2026-08