Is it obvious when you have a heart attack?

[Cla7]

I have health anxiety for time to time, and now I got into a rabbit hole about my back / shoulder pain being a heart attack. I had the first episode of pain a week ago, felt quite alright the past few days, but today I feel pain again in my left back/shoulder blade. Also a bit breathless and tight now but that might be my anxiety. Can anyone reassure me? Would I be able to tell whether it’s muscular pain and tension, or a heart attack?

Of course nobody on the internet can advise you, “that happened to me” stories won’t help. If you have concerns you need to go to A&E.

Sorry - that wasn’t supposed to be as blunt as it sounded but please do get checked out if you are concerned.

No, it isn't always obvious. If you are concerned you need to get checked out tonight.

Oh OP, you must know if you’ve had treatment for anxiety that nobody should try to reassure you, that’s the wrong way to tackle it!

If you feel you have a serious symptom, ring 111 and go through their script with them, then do what they advise.

I hope I dont scare you but its quite common for women in particular to miss that they have had heart attacks because it may be very mild and feel like pulled muscles or indegestion. Shoulder pain can also be referred pain for gall bladder as well

The only way to know is to have a specific type of blood test in A&E which will tell you if you have had a heart attack in the last 48 hours as one particular enzyme is present. The best thing to do is call 111. I had some crazy chest pain which turned out to be shingles so not all chest pain is a heart attack but better to be safe.

Of course all of you are right, no one could tell me whether or not anything is wrong, and reassurance doesn’t help with anxiety either. Thank you. I’m feeling calmer now and will reassess tomorrow morning, hopefully with a clear head.