Recognize some of the less common symptoms of a heart attack. However, the more signs and symptoms you have, the greater the chance you're having a heart attack. In addition to the tell-tale symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath, and cold sweats, there are some less common symptoms characteristic of myocardial infarction that you should be familiar with in order to better gauge the probability of heart failure. Immediate treatment also helps preserve the health of your heart, which helps to increase your lifespan. If you experience any of these signs of a heart attack, call for emergency treatment (911). First, odds are very high that either you or someone you love will suffer from a heart attack during your lifetime. Not all people who have heart attacks have the same symptoms or have the same severity of symptoms. What to do if you or someone else may be having a heart attack. If you don't have access to emergency medical services, have a neighbor or a friend drive you to the nearest hospital. The sooner you recognize you may have a problem, the sooner you can begin to receive life-saving treatment. Find out the symptoms, causes and what you can do if you experience one. And second, whether you survive that heart attack may depend on what you and your doctors do about it during the first few hours. You are also at increased risk if you are younger than 50 and have diabetes, smoke cigarettes, are overweight, have blocked arteries, high blood pressure, or a family history of these risk factors. Don't ignore or attempt to tough out the symptoms of a heart attack for more than five minutes. If you have the slightest suspicion that you might be having a heart attack, the first and most important thing to do is to call 911. Don't wait for your symptoms to "go away." You may not have chest pain at all, especially if you’re a woman, are elderly or have diabetes. It is called a silent heart attack. So, if you have erectile dysfunction that lasts a couple of days or more, it can be a warning of an impending heart attack. A heart attack does not always have obvious symptoms. Early recognition and treatment of a heart attack can reduce the risk of heart damage. Be a team player. Call 911 or your local medical emergency number. If you’ve had a heart attack or stroke, your doctor may want you to take a low dose of aspirin to reduce your risk of having another. “They do this because they are scared and because they put their families first,” Goldberg said. In fact, a heart attack can actually happen without a person knowing it! Don’t delay phoning 999 if you’re not sure or don’t want to make a fuss. Knowing the possible symptoms can help make the difference between life and death. 8. If you suspect you’re having a heart attack, better safe than sorry. “There are still many women who are shocked that they could be having a heart attack.” A heart attack strikes someone about every 43 seconds. Your chance of living long after a heart attack increases dramatically if you know the heart attack warning signs. For others, the first sign may be sudden cardiac arrest. Your health care team can help you reduce your risk of heart disease or stroke to live a longer, … There are two very good reasons you should know how to survive a heart attack. Regular check ups can identify problems that can lead to heart attack before they occur. Even if you're not sure your symptoms are a heart attack, get evaluated. Some people have no symptoms. Some people have mild pain; others have more severe pain. The sooner you get emergency treatment for a heart attack, the greater the chances of survival.