hi, I’m very confused and not sure whether to contact my doctor. I have no idea about poss symptoms but I had 2 bouts of SEVERE chest pain - right in the centre (couldn’t speak) spreading around my back 2 nights ago following a day of horrendous headache/nausea. Immediately after each chest pain I was violently sick. Horrendous headache, nausea but no more pain or vomiting. Can a heart attack be diagnosed after the event? Thanks
possible heart attack?: hi, I’m very... - British Heart Fou...
possible heart attack?
Written by
Xqj6
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
67 Replies
•
Extreme nausea was the major symptom of my HA. In my case I had very little pain and they also think I've had an earlier one which ties up with a similar episode about 1 month before. If I've understood correctly blood tests will continue to show elevated troponin levels after the event. Get it checked out asap and as recent I'd be onto 111 at the very least. Don't delay.
I hadn't picked up on the nausea and headache being current. Definitely sounds something that needs urgently looking into.
thanks so much, good info
All I can tell you is that with your symptoms I would have immediately dialled 999. I've never had a heart attack, but I know the symptoms well. Heart attacks can kill and your symptoms should definitely not be ignored. Please see your GP asap. Should you get those symptoms again, without any doubt please dial 999. Jean
Hi Xqj6
I really hope that you’ve contacted 111 and that you are feeling better very soon.
Let us know how you get on, thinking of you.
Best wishes
Soap
MilkfairyHeart Star
You have had some really good advice already.Yes, a heart attack can be diagnosed later.
Raised Troponin blood levels can be detected up to 2 weeks after a heart attack or cardiac event.
Troponin is a protein that is released into the blood stream if your heart has been damaged by a lack of blood supply to your heart.
Please ring 111 or 999 for further advice.
thanks all, 111 said painkillers for headache and 999 if any more pain. Referring to doc for Monday. Thanks again
And Troponin levels can be detected fast through two blood tests, one to detect the release levels and another to see if the levels have changed. Mine were done over two days in hospital and the levels had indicated that I had a heart condition but not failure or attack as the two readings showed a reduction on day 2.
I believe troponin levels need to be checked at a hospital , too specialised for GP , and results can come back within the hour and inform , as other have said , of the occurrence of any heart attack over past two weeks - get yourself to A and E regardless if whether you have current symptoms
Hi Milkfairy. My troponin was detected 3 weeks after my silent HA. My symptoms were vomiting and diarrhoea - thought it was a gastric bug which would pass!
Oh my goodness!Your troponin levels must have been really high initially.
It also shows that heart attacks can be so easily missed when you experience less common symptoms.
I hope you are doing well now.
Thanks. My heart seems to be doing ok, although my EF had dropped slightly at my January echo from 18 months previously. My cardiologist arranged a telephone appt for June, so he's clearly not that worried!
In the meantime, I've just finished a 5 week course of radiotherapy on a (non-cancerous) brain tumour which was diagnosed a year ago. Follow-up MRI in June (bit of a palaver with the ICD!) to see if it's worked. I do get the "why me" blues occasionally!
I am so sorry that you are facing such challenges at the moment. Life seens to have bowled you more than your fair share of curve balls.
I am not surprised you are feeling why me!
Don’t bother with 111 they will automatically send a 999 ambulance as you will fail the first few questions. The AMBO crew (I am one) will check you over on scene due to your history they will take you to hospital for further tests. A HT shows up in several different ways the ecg may show depression or flipped T’s both indicate heart trauma but nothing may show up so you need bloods and tests.
Any forms of chest, back, left shoulder, arm or jaw pain even pins and needles in your left hand can indicate a HT. I only had very mild pins and needles in my left shoulder under extreme exercises with no cardiac history then bang 2 heart attacks and a quadruple heart bypass in a month which has changed my life for ever.
Please don’t just leave it even now it’s not to late.
Could be indigestion or a spastic esophagus.
Xqj6, I would be going to the emergency department before Monday (like now!) The sooner the better. I hope everything turns out to be OK and please let us know how you get on.
Leach234, it could be, but needs to be diagnosed ASAP. GORD (reflux) has hit me out of the blue a couple of times with what felt like a hammer blow to the middle of my chest and much worse than my heart pains. A couple of times when I've been in the ED, as well as the usual blood tests, they have given me a dose of an antacid to check if reflux could be the cause. With a heart episode, my chest pain has always been milder so I never know if it's my heart or not, and wait to see if the pain goes away. I also take a spray of GTN as a cardiologist told me it can help with indigestion pain as well as cardiac chest pain. However, as others have said, ALWAYS call an ambulance with chest pain as you just don't know, and it is definitely not worth taking a chance.
Hi, I certainly feel its heart related as I my self has had 2 HA in the past. Don't risk it and have yourself checked out ASAP to avoid further risks.
Hi there, I would get to the casualty / emergency asap. I had a heart attack 3 weeks ago - had all the symptoms you are describing and had minutes to spare. Main reasons are because I kept delaying, thinking it's something else. It's NOT worth the wait. Your health is top priority. Remember, our friends and family are effected too. All the very best.
I wouldn't delay until tomorrow to contact your GP. Time is of the essence, and a trip to a&e is imperative. When I had my HA it was completely out of the blue, I thought it was indigestion and the first responder concurred. Thankfully the ambulance crew plugged me into the ECG and next stop was the Cardiac unit at my local hospital. One Stent later and I am here to tell the tale 15 months later.Your life isn't worth any delays, go and get yourself checked out this morning.
I’m with you on this one, I wouldn’t be waiting to see a doctor or waiting for an ambulance (if you can get yourself to the hospital)
I had no hesitation in ringing for an ambulance, as soon as they carried out the ECG I was taken to the cardiology unit in my local hospital, they fitted one stent and the pain was gone.
However it turned out that I needed a by pass, 4 months later here I am, double bypass and six weeks into recovery.
yes a heart attack can be diagnosed after the event, the majority of patients find out that way. Of course you should get checked
Four years ago I went to GP re a nasal issue - he asked how I was + told him had a bad night two days earlier with nausea & pain etc. He said looks like you’ve had a HA so wrote me a note & said go to A&E immediately. They confirmed I’d had my first HA + put a couple of stents in for me two days later. So, I’d get it checked by GP or A&E asap if I was you - good luck.
As already recommended by others, please do seek urgent medical advice. Best wishes and take care.
as everyone is saying go today to the A E department and next time 999 . If it’s good news nothing is lost .
I would definitely not even bother with 111, on the few occasions I’ve called them over the years their advice has been absolutely appalling and could have resulted in losing one of my children, I would either go direct to A&E or call 999
Last September I had a pain which started between my shoulder blades which then radiated across my back and under my arm pits. Husband rang 111 who asked usual questions like did I have any pain in chest, down the arm, did I have clammy skin, was I breathless- NO. I was then sick. Was told an ambulance would be with me in 5 hours. Three times my husband rang 999 but they didn't recognise my symptoms as being a heart attack. The paramedics didn't know how to read an ecg machine. After 6 hours was taken to nearest A&E hospital who diagnosed a heart attack. A specialist heart hospital didn't want me as they said it was too late. The first hospital eventually made an unauthorised transfer to the other hospital where they still insisted they did not want me. After 6 days was discharged with a bag of pills with instructions to see my GP. Still waiting to see a Cardiologist. Go to your GP ASAP or A&E.
Hi, when I had HA I had server pain in the middle of my chest in my two arms etc. My consultant at the hospital said if you get a pain in the middle of your chest or your back or jaw do not wait call ambulance or go to A&E if GP are open call them right away.
It can be and you should be seeking medical help, I know this site is full of information but it isn't an alternative to the professionals.
Yes it can.. t blood tests would show raised troponin levels which should get you further tests to see what might have caused your pain. Definitely speak to your dr.. may even be worth a call to 111 today. Hope all is well.
Get tested, it shows up in your blood if you have even if you have had zero symptoms. Don't delay
If you have severe chest pain you need to go to A and E. Period. You should not try to diagnose over the internet.
Reading through these replies to your original question the overwhelming response is that you should go seek, at the earliest possible time, confirmation that you have likely had a heart attack. In the meantime if your symptoms suddenly worsen you should get yourself down to A&E or call 999, and nothing else. And assuming your tests prove positive you will be put on a programme of measures to manage your heart risk including medication, possible physical intervention such as stents, and suggestions about lifestyle changes covering, for example, diet , exercise, stopping smoking if applicable, and alcohol consumption limits. And shortly after you will likely be asked to join a cardio rehab course to help you on the latter. These are all positive steps and whilst they will not eliminate your heart risk going forward they will certainly reduce it, so there is no need to fear for the worse, just embrace it since you are now likely a member of the hearties club, many of whom have lived full lives for many years.
Hi Xqj6
I’ve previously had an NSTEMI and my symptoms were very similar to yours. I had a squeezing pain in the centre of my chest which spread to my jaw, arm and back. This was also accompanied by violent bouts of vomiting during the pain. I did not have the headaches. This lasted around 20-30mins.
An ambulance was called and my Troponin was positive, despite having a normal ECG. This was after a majority of the pain had passed. My troponin continued to double whilst at the hospital every hour and finding that my arteries were clear during an angiogram, this is how they were able to determine the NSTEMI. Upon release, my troponin was still elevated but it was coming down. Therefore, it is still possible to detect a heart attack after the episode but you must not delay this any further and have it checked out immediately as I can see 2 days have passed already!
Please follow all other members’ advice and either call 111, 999 or take a trip down to the emergency department yourself.
It can. Troponin levels (blood test) in the immediate aftermath and a cardiac MRI further on from the event. At least, that was my personal experience. As commented earlier, I would strongly recommend that you seek medical advice asap.
Everyone has alot of experience by the sounds of things. Out of interest how long does a pain last with a heart attack? Is it a pain that lasts a few minutes then disappears or will it progressively get worse and wont go? How does one know what's muscular or trauma or stress and whats heart attack?
It varies so much from person to person ao unfortunately there's no definitive answer to how long it lasts or how severe the pain is. You have to trust your instincts to a certain degree and if it feels wrong go and seek help. You won't know if its muscular, trauma, heart or stress until it's checked out. My symptoms had very little pain qmd talking with others in the CCU ward none of us had suffered a "hollywood" heart attack. One chap had only gone in because his BP was found to be raised significantly during a random check. I was shocked, as was the wife, when the A&E Dr told me I.was having one
Hi Danni. I had nstemi and stemi within a month of each other. Never had any pain with either. The first I thought was a gastric bug, the second, I started fainting every few minutes.
we are all individuals and as such so is our presentation of illness.
What you might consider to be severe pain another might assess as mild pain.
In fact some patients report no pain at all but they may report feeling extremely tired or a sensation in the jaw or teeth.
For this reason, it’s important to get checked out by medical professionals at the hospital.
Hi like everyone it is different from person to person when I had my 2 yrs now I had a really bad pain in the middle of my chest my two arms had pain pins and needles I had pain in my jaw and back when the ambulance came they told my husband I had a massive HA they had to get me to the hospital quickly I had a stent. The consultant said if you get anything like I had or even pin& needles in the arm pain in the middle of the chest or pain in the jaw or back call ambulance right away.
Hi. I am very fortunate never having a Heart Attack, I do have other Heart Problems, but if I had those symptoms, I would definitely be contacting my Doctor!
symptoms are very different for different people - mine was an odd ache across shoulderblades and the only time I thought Heart attack was when an ache went down both arms- and yes they can diagnose after the event via a blood test believe it or not - it is important you don’t delay and go to A&E as soon as possible - you may need treatment which can sort you out - don’t leave it!!! Hope you are OK
Get yourself if able to A&E tas soon as possible sounds exactly like what I had if you ignore and the pain comes back it could do more damage better to be safe than sorry.
Good luck.
Call an ambulance now. 999
Hi there, glad you have a follow up. Personally I would skip the GP and head straight to A&E. I sat with middle chest pain for three days over the weekend as ignored by 111 as indigestion and as soon as GP from a phone consultation on the Monday knew I had chest pain for that long phoned it into A&E medical team who were waiting to see me when I arrived. Needless to say I was investigated there and found to have had a HA, stent inserted and on the mend but three days of untreated heart attack affected my EF rate (have slightly reduced pumping mechanism now). If you are found to have had a HA you will need a slew of drugs to protect you going forward, plus a rehab program to get the heart fit again. 111 failed me. I didn’t answer the questions they asked correctly to flag up a HA. Shows those questions are a flawed system. I believe anyone phoning 111 with chest pain should be sent to A&E bc the only way to discount a HA when someone has chest pain is by medical follow up, not a chat over the phone!!! Please take care now and good luck as you find the answers to your chest pain.
thank you, hope you are on the mend
hi. I think you should call your doctor or 101 immediately. I had a-typical symptoms with my heart attack — no pain; just fainted. But my cousin, who also had a-typical symptoms (pain in his jaw) went to his doctor three days later and the doctor diagnosed a heart attack and sent him to hospital. So you should get checked out. Could be nothing, but why risk it? Hope this helps.
Don't mess around with chest pain, call 999 and get taken to hospital. The longer you leave it the more damage you are causing your heart and the more long-term complications you are storing up for yourself.
I'm surprised 111 did not send an ambulance, I rang them one evening for advice about chest pain and the next thing I knew, there was an ambulance crew knocking on the door. It turned out as I suspected to be a muscle strain in my rib cage from the gym session I had done earlier that evening. I was somewhat embarrassed but all the staff said I did the right thing.
All the best
you must call 999 immediately and tell them. That sounds extremely serious. Don’t leave it any longer.
I'm no expert, and may be wrong, but my understanding is that a heart attack leaves behind muscle damage and presumably that can be detected?
I had same similar symptoms 2 days before my actual heart attack.... go get checked please!
Lots of good advice above, e.g. Milkfairy and Jako999 . I had chest pains 16 years ago. Searched t'internet even then. Ended up calling 111. They sent an ambulance. A GTN tablet under the tongue gave the most enormous relief. Best drug ever. Straight to hospital. In my case, I narrowly avoided a heart attack (troponin didn't rise high enough). I did have unstable angina though. Within 8 days I had had a quadruple bypass (CABGx4). Kinda life changing. Luckily I've been fairly well ever since. But things could have been so different if I hadn't called 111.
There are various tests that will confirm whether or not you've had a heart attack.
Don't muck about with chest pains. I'd call 999 or 111 and tell them you've become really worried about your symptoms and history. If I were you, I'd think about going to a hospital rather than a GP.
Good luck,
Let everyone know how you've got on.
Best wishes,
Fish4Info
First and always, get it checked out. If it feels really serious to you, don't mess around with a GP. Get straight to hospital. It could save your life.
This is one of the big problems with coronary artery disease - being able to spot it. Like a cat has the same insane stare for a moth as it does for an axe murderer, so the human body has similar manifestations of symptoms for a heart attack as it does for a whole range of other conditions from life threatening to innocuous.
Having said that, your symptoms sound more like you have a nasty infection to me, but you can never be sure, and it is a quandary. As a veteran of a heart attack, a stent, and triple bypass surgery, I often get aches, pains, and weird sensations without any clue what's causing them. If I followed the guidance of dialling 999 if it doesn't go away after 15 minutes, I'd be there most weeks! I think you just get used to what is the new normal for you as you gain experience of living with the condition.
Hello!
I read the message late and I really hope that by now you have seek help and visited A&E.
If not heart attack, definitely something else which needs urgent attention.
Please keep us posted.
All the best
yes, a HA can show up on the ECG and in blood tests. It’s important that you go to hospital because even if it was a severe angina attack, you will still need treatment and investigations.
If you have had a heart attack, you might need a stent or two do please present yourself to A&E
Phone 999 now .don't wast time
thank you. I had tests which said no ha but have ecg next week to put mind at rest. Everyone on here was so helpful and informative, thanks again x
• in reply toXqj6
Although it is good to have been told you have not had a heart attack, it has possibly shown you are in an increased risk group concerning heart health. And what that means is you should be looking at lifestyle changes to reduce that risk as far as practical (without going overboard). As I said in an earlier post above this includes diet, exercise, stopping smoking if applicable, and alcohol consumption limits and the BHF website covers this well. And this is in addition to any medical outcomes from your investigation, outcomes such as medication which may or may not be required.
Not what you're looking for?
You may also like...
Possible heart attack
Hi all
I had a small heart attack in Oct 2015, had one stent then and another in January and then...
Did I have a heart attack?
Last night at around 3am, I was woken by extreme pain. I was laying on my right side, when suddenly...
Am I having a heart attack
I have just had a pain in my chest. At first I thought it was indigestion. The pain lasted about...
Heart Attack
Hi i had a heart attack two weeks ago at the ripe old age of 49 (now 50) i had jaw ache and pain to...
Heart attack
Hi all,New to this I found it last night, comforting to know we are all out there and things in...
Post heart attack 
Heart attack today 
Heart attack 
Possible to have had another heart attack after 4 stents 
Silent heart attack
