No Symptoms

About 25 percent of heart attacks are silent -- meaning that they occur without chest pain or new symptoms. Silent heart attacks are especially common in patients with diabetes mellitus.

What Do I Do If I Have These Symptoms?

Women tend to wait longer than men to get to a hospital, according to Dr. Rita F. Redberg, director of Women’s Cardiovascular Services for the UCSF Division of Cardiology in San Francisco. Because women are more likely than men to experience additional symptoms and may feel chest pressure rather than pain, many women hesitate to seek immediate treatment because they are unsure about what they’re experiencing and don’t want to rush to the hospital if they aren’t having a heart attack. But it’s important that you follow these steps if you suspect that you or a loved one is having a heart attack:

Don’t Delay

If you have any of these signs, do not wait more than five minutes before calling for help. It’s imperative that you get immediate medical attention if you believe you may be having a heart attack, even if you don't have the classic chest pain.

Call 9-1-1

Do not try to get yourself to the hospital. If you try to drive, you could have an accident and injure yourself or someone else. You also should not ask a family member or friend to drive you. You need to get to the hospital as quickly as you can, and that means getting a ride in an ambulance and taking advantage of emergency personnel's lifesaving measures as soon as possible.