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Can Low Back Pain Be a Sign of a Heart Attack?

Lower back pain can be an indicator of heart attack when accompanied by other signs and symptoms. A painful signal most often suffered by women, it is generally ignored.

  1. Symptoms

    • Lower back pain associated with a heart attack will radiate and is accompanied by crushing chest pain. The pains may last three to five minutes and will come and go.

    Pain Radiation

    • Pain will generally spread from the back and chest to the upper belly, jaw, arm and shoulder. The left arm and shoulder are most commonly affected by the radiating pain.

    Other Symptoms

    • Symptoms commonly associated with a heart attack include nausea, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath and sweating.

    Considerations

    • Should lower back pain present itself and is not accompanied by any other symptoms, a back injury may have been sustained.

    Warning

    • When lower back pain is accompanied by other symptoms of a heart attack, emergency medical services should be called immediately. A heart attack, even a mild one, can cause death if untreated.

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