Symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain, and pain in which area?

Symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain, and pain in which area?

• A. Jaw
• B. Arm
• C. Back
• D. Neck

Answer: (A)

When a heart muscle isn’t getting enough oxygen, the pain signals can travel along the same nerve pathways that supply other parts of the upper body, creating referred pain. The nerves that convey heart pain share connections with nerves to the jaw, so a heart attack can cause jaw discomfort in addition to chest pressure. This pattern is commonly seen and is especially noted in women and older adults. While pain can also appear in the arm, neck, or back, jaw pain paired with chest symptoms is a classic accompanying sign that should prompt urgent medical evaluation.

When a heart muscle isn’t getting enough oxygen, the pain signals can travel along the same nerve pathways that supply other parts of the upper body, creating referred pain. The nerves that convey heart pain share connections with nerves to the jaw, so a heart attack can cause jaw discomfort in addition to chest pressure. This pattern is commonly seen and is especially noted in women and older adults. While pain can also appear in the arm, neck, or back, jaw pain paired with chest symptoms is a classic accompanying sign that should prompt urgent medical evaluation.