What are the symptoms of potential heart attack?
Patient: I am only 25 but think I may be having a heart attack. I have had moderate to severe chest pain for about three days in a row. Tightness, sqeezing, almost feels like when you pull a muscle but it is in my lungs/chest and my left arm is sort of numb and tingles at times? I keep having this feeling like I need to take a deep breath? Please advise on what I should do? Doctor: Hello,  I understand your concern and would explain that your symptoms are more suggestive of a panic disorder.  At your age, a heart attack or coronary artery disease would be an exceptional diagnosis.   Anyway, if these complaints persist, I would recommend consulting with your attending physician for a physical exam and some tests:  -a resting ECG and cardiac ultrasound - complete blood count - thyroid hormone levels for thyroid gland dysfunction - blood electrolytes.   An exercise cardiac stress test would definitely help exclude possible coronary artery disease and the risk for a heart attack.   Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.  Regards, Dr. Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist