Right Side Chest Pain and Other Less Obvious Signs of Heart Attack

Heart attacks were once thought of as an affliction that mostly affected men, but the rate of cardiovascular disease in women is changing that perception. Heart disease is prevalent in both genders, which means everyone could benefit from knowing more about the symptoms.

A recent survey found that many people do not recognize the signs of a heart attack. This is unfortunate since early recognition and quick medical attention can save lives.

It is common knowledge that chest pain can be a warning sign. While right side chest pain should not be ignored, chest pain associated with a heart attach usually radiates from the center of the chest and in some cases the discomfort may seem to originate from the left side. This discomfort may come and go.

A person’s chances of survival increase greatly if he or she is able to get medical attention when these pains first begin as opposed when they have come and gone several times, and eventually become sharper and lasting.

The aching in the chest can present as a squeezing sensation, a feeling of fullness, pressure or a sharp shooting sensation. The average person will more quickly recognize the warning signs related to the chest than other less obvious ones.

You may have heard that a shooting sensation in the left arm is an indicator. This is true, but this is also true of the right arm, the back, the neck, the jaw and the stomach. Yes, the stomach. This was a surprise to numerous participants in the survey.

Shortness of breath, cold sweats, nausea, vomiting and lightheadedness are also symptoms. These non-chest related signs tend to occur more in women than men. For this reason, heart attacks in women are not as readily identified by the general public.

If we can become more knowledgeable about the less apparent warning signs, such as right side chest pain (as opposed to pain on the left or in the center), nausea, back and stomach pain, then more people will get help earlier and hopefully experience much less damage.