2. d (double vision). Only 11 percent of people know the most common symptoms of a heart attack, according to a 2001 survey. Chest pain and shortness of breath are the most common ones, but you can also experience nausea or pain in the neck, jaw, back, stomach, or arms. And you may feel discomfort rather than a severe or stabbing pain. Other symptoms: breaking out in a cold sweat or light-headedness. (Double vision can be a sign of a stroke. That's another reason to call 911.)