Which symptom is commonly associated with a heart attack?

The symptom commonly associated with a heart attack is arm pain. Specifically, pain or discomfort in the left arm is a classic symptom that many people report during a heart attack. This can occur due to the way pain signals are interpreted by the brain, resulting in referred pain. In a cardiac event, the nerves that transmit pain from the heart can overlap with those from the left arm, causing the sensation of pain to be felt in the arm.

While shortness of breath, abdominal pain, and headache can also occur during a heart attack, they are not as characteristic as arm pain. Shortness of breath may happen due to the heart's inability to pump effectively during an attack, but it can also be seen in other conditions. Abdominal pain is less common but can occur, particularly in women, as they may experience atypical symptoms. A headache is generally not associated with heart attacks and is more indicative of other health issues. Thus, arm pain stands out as a more definitive symptom for identifying a heart attack.