What are the symptoms of a myocardial infarction?
Severe chest pain is the usual main symptom. The pain may also travel up into your jaw, and down your left arm, or down both arms. You may also sweat, feel sick, and feel faint. The pain may be similar to angina, but it is usually more severe and lasts longer. (Angina usually goes off after a few minutes. MI pain usually lasts more than 15 minutes - sometimes several hours.)
A small MI occasionally happens without causing pain (a 'silent MI'). It may be truly pain-free, or sometimes the pain is mild and you may think it is just heartburn or 'wind'.
Collapse and sudden death may occur with a large or severe MI.
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- Heart attack/Myocardial infarction
- Understanding the heart and coronary arteries
- What causes myocardial infarction?
- Who has a myocardial infarction?
- What should I do if I suspect I am having a myocardial infarction?
- What should I do if I suspect I am having a myocardial infarction (cont'd)?
- How serious is a myocardial infarction?
- After having a myocardial infarction




