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Typically, a person suffering a heart attack has discomfort in the center of her chest. It may feel like squeezing, pressure, fullness or a sharp pain, and it can last more than a few minutes or come and go. Another red flag: sustained discomfort in one or both arms, the shoulders, back, neck, jaw or stomach. Some of these symptoms can also be blamed on anything from eating spicy food to having a pulled muscle.

So what can set a heart attack apart? Experiencing shortness of breath, for one thing (even before chest pain occurs); feeling nauseated or light-headed; breaking out in a cold sweat; or suffering from fatigue.

If you suspect you (or a loved one) are having a heart attack, call your emergency number immediately.

6 Ways to Assess Your Heart Health

Are you at risk for heart disease? The tests you need:

1. Cholesterol: Starting at age 20, get your total cholesterol and triglycerides (a blood fat) measured every five years. If the numbers are high, you'll need to be tested every three months until they come down.
2. Blood pressure: Should be checked at least every two years; more frequently if it's high.
3. Diabetes: Regular screening isn't necessary. But get your blood glucose levels tested every few years if you have a family history of diabetes, if you're obese or if you developed diabetes during pregnancy.

(This includes people who are smokers, who have a family history of heart disease or whose routine tests aren't normal.)

1. C-reactive protein (CRP) test: Measures a protein that's a marker for inflammation, which may affect the coronary arteries, causing heart disease.
2. Homocysteine test: Measures levels of an amino acid that's been linked to heart problems.
3. Lipoprotein (a) test: Calculates levels of a substance in the blood that boosts heart disease risk.