Originally Posted by yellowbastard
My stepfather had a heart attack last year and my gf's father had one around Christmas last year. It's a scary situation. With myself having tightness in the chest occasionally I really have been meaning to get checked out. I not only get tightness but pain in my left arm as well and I was told those are warnings signs of a "stroke".
Stroke is typically accompanied by dizziness and altered mental states, and a host of neurological signs (one hand is stronger than the other, pupils dilate on one side only, one side looks "droopy"). Cardiac trouble is usually accompanied by respiratory problems (getting really tired with exertion, unable to catch one's breath).
Either way, what Chef said is right: Do not wait. Get a doctor's appointment and be seen soon.