Chest pains are generally considered the most obvious sign that something sinister is going on behind the scenes, accompanied by stabbing pains in the left arm and shortness of breath.
Secondary signs of this condition typically include back and stomach pain, sweating, nausea, dizziness, and a feeling of intense panic.
However, in their publication, the medical students confessed that despite their extensive knowledge in the field, they "genuinely" did not know that "jaw and neck pain is a common warning sign" of a heart attack.
According to Duke Health, this particular symptom is largely unknown because it most often affects women and is rarely observed in men who have suffered a cardiac arrest.
The health company explains that while men often complain of the sensation of an elephant sitting on their chest during a heart attack, women generally feel the pain in more discreet areas, such as the neck, jaw, and shoulder blades.
It is also believed that women are more likely to experience general fatigue before a cardiac arrest, as well as sensations like indigestion and heartburn.
The timing of the onset of this pain would also differ between men and women.
Cardiologist Radha Kachhy of Duke Health previously explained: "If this occurs during physical exertion, it should be taken seriously. One of my patients told me she experienced shoulder pain every time she walked."
"She thought it was her handbag, but her shoulder hurt even when she wasn't holding her handbag."
Furthermore, Dr. Kachhy highlighted a harsh reality: women are more likely to downplay symptoms of illness, especially when it comes to symptoms of a heart attack.
“I have patients who experienced symptoms of a heart attack and told me, ‘I decided to do the laundry first. When it didn’t get better, I went to the doctor,’” the cardiologist stated.
"Time is muscle. The longer you wait, the greater the potential damage to the heart muscle."
When asked about the best way to prevent a heart attack, she suggested that women "know their numbers," referring to their blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol levels, and body mass index (BMI).
"If you know you have certain risk factors for heart disease, if you smoke or are overweight, changing your lifestyle—for example, by improving your diet and exercising more—can reduce that risk," she explained.
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