Which of the following is NOT typically a symptom of a heart attack?

• A. Chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, and pain in the jaw, neck, or arms
• B. Headache
• C. Nausea
• D. Dizziness

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is recognizing which signs most often signal a heart problem versus what is not typically seen with a heart attack. A heart attack usually presents with chest pain or discomfort, which can feel like pressure, squeezing, or heaviness. This may come with shortness of breath and may radiate to the jaw, neck, or arms. Nausea and dizziness are also common during a cardiac event, reflecting the body’s stress response and autonomic changes.

Headache does not arise from the same heart muscle ischemia process, so it’s not a typical sign of a heart attack. Headache is more often caused by other issues such as migraines, tension, sinus problems, or other non-cardiac conditions. That’s why the presence of headache alone isn’t used to indicate a heart attack, even though some people might experience non-classic symptoms in rare cases.

If someone has chest discomfort along with shortness of breath, nausea, or dizziness, it’s a medical emergency and contacting emergency services is crucial.