Q: What are the indications of a heart attack?

A:The signs may be difficult to identify and may mimic other conditions. Typically there is pain in the chest with tightness and difficulty in breathing. Sweating, nausea and feeling faint may be other symptoms. The pain may be in the front of the chest or behind the breastbone. From there it may go to the neck or left arm. In severe cases, the patient may look pale due to a fall in blood pressure rapidly leading to death. To diagnose a problem related to heart, you must consult a physician or a cardiologist. He will do a physical examination and may also suggest certain tests such as ECG, X-ray of the chest, and certain blood tests. He will also check your pulse rate and the blood pressure. The diagnosis will be based on the outcome of these investigations and tests.