We've all seen a man go wide-eyed and clutch his chest in the movies. But a heart attack can come on without chest pain, especially in women. "Two-thirds of women will have less-typical, non-Hollywood heart attack symptoms," says C. Noel Bairey Merz, MD, director of the Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute in Los Angeles.

If you experience any of the symptoms on this page and they're relatively mild, don't hesitate to call your doctor, as they could indicate a heart attack is imminent (about half are preceded by symptoms days beforehand). And if they are severe or worsen steadily, call 911. You may need help—fast.