Heart Attack Warning Signs: Act Fast, Call 1122
A heart attack happens when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is blocked, usually by a blood clot. Most do not look like the movies — they start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort, not sudden collapse. Do not wait: waiting costs heart muscle. Call Rescue 1122.
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A heart attack happens when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is blocked — usually by a blood clot — and the starved muscle begins to die within minutes. Most heart attacks do not look like the movies: most start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort, not sudden collapse. Because of this, many people wait — and waiting costs heart muscle. Cardiovascular disease is the world's leading killer, and in Pakistan, delayed recognition of heart attack symptoms is a major reason patients reach hospitals too late. Knowing the warning signs in advance is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself and your family.
What does it mean?
A heart attack happens when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is blocked — usually by a blood clot — and the starved muscle begins to die within minutes. Most heart attacks do not look like the movies: most start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort, not sudden collapse. Because of this, many people wait — and waiting costs heart muscle. Cardiovascular disease is the world's leading killer, and in Pakistan, delayed recognition of heart attack symptoms is a major reason patients reach hospitals too late. Knowing the warning signs in advance is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself and your family.
Common causes
- Chest discomfort is the most common sign.
The American Heart Association describes it as uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of the chest — lasting more than a few minutes, or going away and coming back. - Pain can spread beyond the chest.
Discomfort or pain may appear in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach — sometimes with no chest pain at all. - Shortness of breath
can occur with or without chest discomfort. - Other possible signs:
breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, lightheadedness, or unusual tiredness. - Women's symptoms often differ.
The AHA notes that while chest pain remains the most common symptom in women, women are more likely than men to experience shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, and back or jaw pain — symptoms that are less typically associated with heart attack, which is why treatment for women can be delayed. Women are also more likely to report anxiety, unusual tiredness and weakness. - Elderly people and people with diabetes
may have milder, less typical symptoms — sometimes only shortness of breath or fatigue (American Diabetes Association). Never dismiss these. - Acting fast saves muscle.
The sooner a blocked artery is reopened, the more heart muscle survives. Call for help within minutes of symptoms starting — even if you are not sure. It is far better to be wrong about a scare than to be late about a heart attack.
When to worry
Seek urgent medical care
Call 1122 immediately if any of these appear — do not wait:
Prevention & practical tips
- Call 1122 immediately (Pakistan's emergency number). Say clearly: "I think this is a heart attack." Do not wait more than a few minutes to decide.
- Do not drive yourself to the hospital. Ambulance crews can begin treatment on the way and warn the hospital ahead of arrival. If you collapse while driving, you endanger everyone on the road.
- Follow the operator's instructions. They may advise chewing an aspirin while waiting — only if you are not allergic and have not been told to avoid aspirin. Do not delay the call to search for medicine.
- Sit down and rest. Loosen tight clothing, stay as calm as possible, and unlock your front door so responders can reach you.
- If they collapse and are unresponsive: begin hands-only CPR — push hard and fast in the center of the chest — and send someone for help.
- After recovery: see your cardiologist regularly, take prescribed medicines exactly as directed, and never stop heart medicines on your own.
FAQs
Most often, uncomfortable pressure or pain in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes, sometimes spreading to the arms, neck, jaw, back or stomach — along with shortness of breath, cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
Yes. Some people — especially women, the elderly and people with diabetes — have little or no chest pain. They may feel only shortness of breath, nausea, jaw or back pain, or overwhelming tiredness. These count as heart attack symptoms too.
Call 1122 immediately and follow the operator's instructions. Keep the person sitting and at rest, do not let them drive, and stay with them until help arrives.
An emergency operator may advise chewing an aspirin — but only if the person is not allergic and has not been told to avoid it. Call 1122 first; never delay the call to find medicine. Read the detailed guidance at American Heart Association — warning signs of a heart attack.
دل کے دورے کی سب سے عام علامت سینے کے بیچ میں دباؤ، گھٹن یا درد ہے جو چند منٹ سے زیادہ رہے یا آئے اور جائے۔ کبھی درد بازو، گردن، جبڑے، کمر یا پیٹ میں بھی محسوس ہوتا ہے۔ سانس پھولنا، ٹھنڈا پسینہ آنا، متلی یا چکر آنا بھی علامات ہیں۔ خواتین، بزرگوں اور شوگر کے مریضوں میں علامات ہلکی یا مختلف ہو سکتی ہیں — سینے کا درد نہ بھی ہو تو یہ علامات نظر انداز نہ کریں۔ ایسی صورت میں فوراً 1122 پر کال کریں اور خود گاڑی چلا کر ہسپتال نہ جائیں۔
No, there is no evidence that drinking cold water causes heart attacks. This is a viral WhatsApp myth. Real heart attack risk factors are uncontrolled blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and high cholesterol. Cold water does not damage the heart — but ignoring the real risk factors does.
References
American Heart Association
Chest discomfort is the most common sign.
- American Heart Association: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/warning-signs-of-a-heart-attack/
- American Diabetes Association: https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/complications/cardiovascular-disease
Only articles marked Reviewed ✓ with a date have passed Dr. Umer's medical review.
How this article was reviewed
- Written by: Dr. Muhammad Umer Farooq, MBBS — October 2026
- Medical review: Completed by Dr. Muhammad Umer Farooq, MBBS — October 2026. All medical content was provided and verified by Dr. Umer.
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