They can be much more subtle and sometimes begin with warning pains in the chest or other symptoms days or even weeks before the actual attack. Typically, however, if you're having a heart attack, the severe pain lasts for about 15-20 minutes and then can linger for some time after.

Heart attack can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. Other symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach; shortness of breath or breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

A heart attack does not always have obvious symptoms, such as pain in your chest, shortness of breath and cold sweats. In fact, a heart attack can actually happen without a person knowing it. It is called a silent heart attack, or medically referred to as silent ischemia or lack of oxygen to the heart muscle.