A health crisis can happen unexpectedly, but the body often sends warning signs that something is wrong.<\/p>\n
Many people tend to ignore them, hoping they’ll feel better.<\/p>\n
Certain symptoms should always get your attention, says emergency medicine physician, Dr. Ashely Alker, author of \u201c99 Ways to Die: And How to Avoid Them.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cYour brain and your heart, those are two things that will kill you,\u201d Alker tells TODAY.com, so pain and discomfort from those regions of the body need top priority.<\/p>\n Heart Health Tip of the Day: Never Ignore Chest Pain<\/p>\n Chest pain is the most commonly ignored symptom that signals something serious, Alker says.<\/p>\n \u201cCardiac disease is the lead killer in the U.S. There\u2019s never a reason to ignore chest pain. If your right foot hurts, call your primary care doctor, but if you have chest pain, you need to go to an emergency department immediately,\u201d Alker says.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople are like, \u2018Oh, I thought it was reflux,\u2019 or \u2018I thought it would just go away\u2019 or \u2018It was Easter brunch, so I thought I would just come later.\u2019 Don\u2019t do that.\u201d<\/p>\n Why It Matters<\/p>\n Chest pain is a major symptom of a heart attack<\/a>, which happens when a coronary artery that delivers blood to the heart is suddenly blocked.<\/p>\n The heart can\u2019t get enough oxygen and heart muscle will begin to die, unless the patient gets prompt treatment.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have 90 minutes to get a stent in you in order to pop that blood vessel back open and save the tissue so it doesn\u2019t die,\u201d Alker says.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is a time sensitive situation.\u201d<\/p>\n How to Get Started<\/p>\n Chest pain associated with a heart attack feels like uncomfortable tightness, squeezing or fullness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a>. For some people, it can feel like heartburn or indigestion.<\/p>\n It can be in the center or left side of the chest, and last for more than a few minutes or go away and come back.<\/p>\n The chest pain may radiate to the jaw, back or shoulder, and is often described as \u201ca crushing pressure,\u201d Alker writes in her book. \u201cChest pain is always worth checking out.\u201d<\/p>\n Call 911 if you notice these symptoms, the CDC advises.<\/p>\n