Chest Discomfort and Heart Attack

Chest Discomfort

It’s the most common sign of heart danger. If you have a blocked artery or are having a heart attack, you may feel pain, tightness, or pressure in your chest. "Everyone has a different word for that feeling". "Some people say it's like an elephant is sitting on them. Other people say it's like a pinching or burning."

If it's just a very brief pain -- or if it's a spot that hurts more when you touch or push on it -- it's probably not your heart. You should still get it checked out by a doctor. If the symptoms are more severe and don’t go away after a few minutes, you should a doctor. Also, keep in mind you can have heart problems -- even a heart attack -- without chest pain. That’s particularly common among women.