An expert explains the difference between having a heart attack and experiencing chest pain from heart disease, along with the warning signs of each.
3:06 PM
Author |
Are you having a heart attack or experiencing chest pain that's related to heart disease?
"It's important to understand the difference between the two," says Eryn Smith, M.S., PA-C, a physician's assistant in Michigan Medicine's Frankel Cardiovascular Center, since they may feel similar, but a heart attack requires immediate medical attention.
"Angina, a symptom of heart disease, is when the arteries of the heart are narrowed down, but not completely closed off. This is very different than a heart attack. A heart attack is when the arteries of the heart suddenly close off and the sudden closure causes a sensation of chest pain," Smith explains.
Signs of a heart attack include:
- Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of the chest that comes on quickly and won't go away with rest.
- Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
- Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
- Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
(If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately.)
Signs of angina include:
- Chest pain, usually present during exertion.
- Pain or discomfort subsides with rest.
![Health Lab word mark overlaying blue cells](/sites/default/files/styles/article_sidebar/public/2022-12/health_lab_article_tag.jpg?h=d1cb525d&itok=fHtGF34e)
Explore a variety of health care news & stories by visiting the Health Lab home page for more articles.
![](/sites/default/files/2022-10/u-hospital-spring_large_1130x635.jpg)
Department of Communication at Michigan Medicine
Want top health & research news weekly? Sign up for Health Lab’s newsletters today!
![man outside blue shirt headphones watch](https://www.michiganmedicine.org/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/2024-07/senior-man-walking-park-smartwatch.jpg?h=f0fb51a5&itok=BMVxRuB7)
![blood pressure cuff on mans arm with white coat doctor taking it](https://www.michiganmedicine.org/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/2024-07/doctor-checking-pulse-senior-man.jpg?h=f0fb51a5&itok=V89SRDw2)
![daughter and dad in hospital room smiling with um shirt held and on right man posing with friend](https://www.michiganmedicine.org/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/2024-07/man-hospital-daughter-friend-billiards.jpg?h=f0fb51a5&itok=0UuGVJrp)
![woman laying down and sheet over going into surgery](https://www.michiganmedicine.org/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/2024-07/patient-surgery-curtain-procedure-operation.jpg?h=f0fb51a5&itok=aTaoETKW)
![woman smiling with man in michigan gear selfie](https://www.michiganmedicine.org/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/2024-06/couple-smiling-sports-crowd-fans.jpg?h=f0fb51a5&itok=adVGItvv)
![green background connecting to teal skull with brain inside both just outlines made out of felt](https://www.michiganmedicine.org/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/2024-06/felt-construction-paper-head-heart.jpg?h=f0fb51a5&itok=Np48eou8)