Heart Attack Warning Signs Men Dismiss as Nothing
That chest tightness, unusual fatigue, or nagging ache might seem like something you can push through. Here’s why some symptoms deserve immediate attention.
“It’s probably nothing.”
You’ve had a long week. You wake up tired, feel a strange tightness in your chest, and notice an ache near your shoulder. Maybe you slept badly. Maybe it’s something you ate. You decide to get on with your day.
For some men, that decision can have serious consequences.
Heart attacks don’t always begin with crushing chest pain or a sudden collapse. Some start with mild discomfort that comes and goes. Others cause symptoms that feel more like indigestion, exhaustion, or a pulled muscle.
In a study published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, researchers interviewed 21 men who had experienced their first heart attack. The men described difficulty making sense of their symptoms, which sometimes contributed to delays in seeking medical care (Nielsen et al., 2015).
You don’t have to be in unbearable pain to be having a heart attack.
A national study of 25,271 U.S. adults found that men had 23% higher adjusted odds than women of being unaware of all five heart attack symptoms included in the survey. Men were also less likely to say they would call emergency medical services if they suspected a heart attack (Mahajan et al., 2019).
Seven heart attack warning signs men may overlook
1. Chest pressure that feels like indigestion
Chest discomfort is the most common heart attack symptom in both men and women (American Heart Association [AHA], 2024).
But it doesn’t always feel like sharp, severe pain.
Some men experience pressure, squeezing, heaviness, or uncomfortable fullness in the center of the chest. The discomfort may be mild enough to mistake for acid reflux, a heavy meal, or muscle strain.
In the VIRGO study of adults ages 18 to 55 hospitalized with a heart attack, 89.5% of men reported chest pain or discomfort (Lichtman et al., 2018).
Chest discomfort may last several minutes or disappear and return. Either pattern can be concerning.
2. Unusual fatigue that you blame on work
Feeling tired after a long shift is normal. Feeling unusually exhausted during activities you typically manage with ease deserves more attention.
Some people experience unexplained fatigue or weakness before or during a heart attack. A familiar walk may suddenly seem exhausting, or ordinary activities may require more effort than usual.
Fatigue alone can have many causes, including poor sleep, stress, or illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2024) lists unusual tiredness among possible heart attack symptoms.
When unusual tiredness appears alongside breathlessness, chest discomfort, or other warning signs, a heart attack is one possibility.
3. Shortness of breath that seems like poor fitness
You climb the stairs or carry groceries to your car. Suddenly, you’re breathing harder than usual.
It’s easy to blame weight, age, or being out of shape. But unexpected shortness of breath can also be a warning sign of a heart attack.
It may happen during activity or while resting. Some people experience it without any chest discomfort.
The AHA (2024) identifies shortness of breath as a major heart attack warning sign. Sudden or unexplained difficulty breathing needs prompt medical attention, particularly when other symptoms are present.
4. Pain in your arm, jaw, neck, or back
An aching shoulder might seem like the result of lifting something heavy. Jaw discomfort could make you think about a dental problem. Back pain may seem like another consequence of a long workday.
However, heart attack discomfort can spread beyond the chest.
The AHA (2024) lists pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, and stomach among possible symptoms.
These symptoms can occur with chest pressure or, in some cases, without it. The pattern is not always easy to recognize, which is why unexplained upper-body discomfort should not automatically be dismissed.
5. Nausea or stomach discomfort
Not every heart attack begins with obvious chest pain.
Some people experience nausea, vomiting, or discomfort in the upper stomach. A man who has just eaten may assume he has indigestion. Someone with a busy schedule might take an antacid and continue working.
The AHA (2024) lists nausea and stomach discomfort among possible heart attack symptoms.
When these symptoms appear alongside chest pressure, shortness of breath, sweating, or upper-body pain, emergency evaluation is important.
6. Cold sweats or sudden dizziness
Breaking into a cold sweat while sitting still can feel strange. So can sudden dizziness or feeling as though you might faint.
These symptoms may have several causes, including dehydration or changes in blood sugar. They can also occur during a heart attack.
The CDC (2024) identifies cold sweats, weakness, and lightheadedness as possible warning signs.
If you have diabetes, don’t assume sudden sweating or dizziness is only related to your blood sugar. Follow your diabetes emergency plan as appropriate, but call emergency services immediately if a heart attack is possible. Checking or treating your blood sugar should not delay that call.
7. Discomfort that disappears and comes back
A common reason people delay seeking medical help is that their symptoms seem to improve.
Chest pressure might ease for a while. An uncomfortable sensation may disappear long enough for someone to return to work or finish a household task.
But temporary relief does not rule out a heart attack.
The AHA (2024) explains that heart attack symptoms can begin mildly and that chest discomfort may go away and return.
If symptoms suggest a heart attack, follow the emergency steps below rather than waiting to see whether they return.
Why some men delay getting help
Even when something feels wrong, recognizing the need for medical care is not always straightforward.
In their interviews with men experiencing a first heart attack, Nielsen and colleagues (2015) found that uncertainty influenced how participants responded to symptoms.
Another study explored how men understood chest pain during a possible heart emergency. White and Johnson (2000) found that some participants tried to explain away their symptoms before seeking care.
These small studies offer insight into men’s experiences. They do not mean every man responds the same way.
“I’m too young for a heart attack.”
Heart attack risk generally increases with age, but younger adults can experience one too.
The VIRGO study included patients aged 18 to 55, showing that heart attacks are not limited to older adults (Lichtman et al., 2018).
Being physically active or feeling generally healthy does not eliminate the risk.
“I’ll deal with it after work.”
Sometimes the problem goes beyond recognizing symptoms.
A man working an hourly job may worry about losing wages. Someone supporting family members may hesitate because of hospital bills or transportation costs. A newly arrived immigrant may be unfamiliar with emergency services or concerned about language barriers.
These are real obstacles, especially for people already facing financial pressure.
Still, a suspected heart attack requires emergency medical care. An ambulance provides access to trained responders who can begin assessment and treatment on the way to the hospital.
What the national research tells us
The same national survey shows how widespread the gap in heart attack awareness remains.
In the 2017 National Health Interview Survey, 5.8% of adults were unaware of all five surveyed heart attack symptoms.
When asked how they would respond to a suspected heart attack, 4.9% of men chose an action other than calling emergency medical services, compared with 4.1% of women (Mahajan et al., 2019).
These were survey responses, not observations during actual emergencies. They show differences in awareness and intended behavior rather than proving how someone would respond during a heart attack.
Men need reliable information that makes heart attack symptoms easier to recognize and act on.
Why heart attack awareness matters for Black men and immigrant communities
Heart disease affects communities differently, and access to health education is not equal.
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attack. According to the American Heart Association, about 58% of Black adults in the United States have high blood pressure. It is also more likely to develop earlier in life among Black adults (AHA, 2025).
This makes routine blood pressure screening especially important for Black men.
The study by Mahajan and colleagues (2019) found that heart attack symptom awareness varied across racial, ethnic, income, education, and immigration groups.
Nearly 1 in 8 adults born outside the United States (11.9%) could not identify any of the five surveyed heart attack symptoms. Among U.S.-born adults, the figure was 4.5%.
Awareness was also lower among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic adults than among non-Hispanic White adults.
These findings support the need for health education that reaches people in familiar languages and through trusted community spaces.
For Haitian families and other immigrant communities, that might mean heart health education in Haitian Creole, Spanish, French, or other commonly spoken languages.
Some churches, community organizations, and barbershops offer blood pressure screening events or health education programs. Checking with local community groups can help families find these opportunities.
Community-based education can help people recognize risks and ask informed questions. Access to affordable screening and medical care also matters, especially for families managing financial or language barriers.
What to do if you think you’re having a heart attack
Call 911 right away if you think it’s a heart attack. Don’t wait to see if it passes.
The AHA (2024) warns that chest discomfort lasting more than a few minutes, or discomfort that disappears and returns, may signal a heart attack. Even if you’re unsure, seek emergency help.
If you or someone nearby may be having a heart attack:
- Call 911 immediately. Describe the symptoms and provide your location. Outside the United States, call the local emergency number.
- Stop physical activity and rest. Sit in a comfortable position while help is on the way.
- Do not drive yourself to the hospital. Emergency responders can begin care before you arrive.
- Ask about aspirin. A dispatcher or emergency medical professional may advise chewing aspirin after checking whether it is safe. Aspirin may be inappropriate for people with certain allergies, bleeding risks, or other medical conditions. Don’t delay calling 911 to find or take it. If you’re unsure whether aspirin is appropriate, waiting for emergency responders is reasonable.
- Follow the dispatcher’s instructions. If someone becomes unresponsive and isn’t breathing normally, begin CPR and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) if available, following emergency guidance.
The American Heart Association and American Red Cross first-aid guidelines recommend activating emergency services for adults with acute chest pain. They also explain when aspirin may be considered while waiting for help (American Heart Association & American Red Cross, 2024).
Getting medical attention quickly can help reduce damage to the heart muscle (CDC, 2024).
How men can protect their heart before symptoms begin
Some conditions that increase heart attack risk develop quietly over several years.
High blood pressure and high cholesterol often cause no noticeable symptoms. Routine checkups can help identify these conditions even when you feel healthy.
Start by learning your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. If close relatives developed heart disease at a young age, share that information with a healthcare professional.
Regular movement, avoiding tobacco, getting adequate sleep, and eating nutritious meals can also help lower cardiovascular risk (CDC, 2024).
You don’t need to abandon the foods you grew up eating. Beans, vegetables, fish, whole grains, and familiar home-cooked meals can fit into a heart-supportive diet. Reducing excess salt or choosing different cooking methods may be easier than changing every meal.
If cost is a barrier, community health centers and local screening programs may offer affordable preventive services.
Small changes add up over the years.
The bottom line
A heart attack may feel like chest pressure, indigestion, breathlessness, or an unfamiliar ache in your upper body. Symptoms can be mild, and they may come and go.
Research shows that some men have difficulty recognizing these warning signs and deciding when to seek emergency care.
If you think you’re having a heart attack, call 911 immediately.
Taking your symptoms seriously gives you the best chance of getting timely care.
Share this article with a father, brother, partner, coworker, or friend. One conversation could help someone recognize when to act.
CareThrive is dedicated to making trustworthy health education accessible to individuals and communities.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance.
References
American Heart Association. (2024, December 12). Warning signs of a heart attack. https://www.heart.org/health-topics/heart-attack/warning-signs-of-a-heart-attack
American Heart Association. (2025, August 14). High blood pressure among Black adults. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/know-your-risk-factors-for-high-blood-pressure/high-blood-pressure-among-black-adults
American Heart Association & American Red Cross. (2024). 2024 American Heart Association and American Red Cross guidelines for first aid. https://cpr.heart.org/en/resuscitation-science/2024-first-aid-guidelines
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, October 24). About heart attack symptoms, risk, and recovery. https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/about/heart-attack.html
Lichtman, J. H., Leifheit, E. C., Safdar, B., Bao, H., Krumholz, H. M., Lorenze, N. P., Daneshvar, M., Spertus, J. A., & D’Onofrio, G. (2018). Sex differences in the presentation and perception of symptoms among young patients with myocardial infarction: Evidence from the VIRGO study. Circulation, 137(8), 781–790. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.117.031650
Mahajan, S., Valero-Elizondo, J., Khera, R., Desai, N. R., Blankstein, R., Blaha, M. J., Virani, S. S., Kash, B. A., Zoghbi, W. A., Krumholz, H. M., & Nasir, K. (2019). Variation and disparities in awareness of myocardial infarction symptoms among adults in the United States. JAMA Network Open, 2(12), e1917885. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.17885
Nielsen, S., Falk, K., Gyberg, A., Määttä, S., & Björck, L. (2015). Experiences and actions during the decision-making process among men with a first acute myocardial infarction. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 30(4), 332–339. https://doi.org/10.1097/JCN.0000000000000137
White, A. K., & Johnson, M. (2000). Men making sense of their chest pain: Niggles, doubts and denials. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 9(4), 534–541. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2702.2000.00413.x
