North Carolina CNA Written Practice Exam

What are common signs and symptoms of a heart attack?

1. Nausea and headache

2. Shortness of breath and chest pain

3. Dizziness and fatigue

4. Rapid heartbeat and sweating

The correct answer is: Shortness of breath and chest pain

The most common signs and symptoms of a heart attack include shortness of breath and chest pain. Chest pain is often described as a feeling of pressure, squeezing, or fullness in the chest, which can last for more than a few minutes or go away and come back. This symptom is crucial as it is often the hallmark indicator of a heart attack. Shortness of breath may occur with or without chest pain, and it can happen at rest or during physical activity. Recognizing these symptoms is vital for early intervention and can significantly improve outcomes for individuals experiencing a heart attack. The other symptoms listed in the options, while they may occur in some situations, do not specifically characterize a heart attack as prominently as chest pain and shortness of breath. Nausea and headache may arise due to various factors but are not definitive indicators of a heart attack. Similarly, dizziness and fatigue can be associated with many medical conditions and are not typically the first symptoms one would associate with a heart attack. Rapid heartbeat and sweating may occur during a heart attack, but they are not the primary signs, making chest pain and shortness of breath the critical symptoms to identify.