Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Heart Attack"

To sign "heart attack," start by forming an open hand with your dominant hand, bending only your middle finger inward. Tap this middle finger against the left side of your chest to sign "heart." Next, form your dominant hand into a fist (an 'S' handshape). Hold your non-dominant hand in front of you with an open, flat palm facing upward. Bring your dominant fist down to firmly strike the open palm of your non-dominant hand.

Examples Using "Heart Attack" in a Sentence

1

He had a heart attack last year.

Sign "he" and "past year," then sign "heart attack" by touching your chest with your middle finger and striking your fist into your open palm. Keep your expression serious to match the topic.

2

Eating healthy helps prevent a heart attack.

After signing "eat healthy" and "prevent," use the two-part "heart attack" sign. Make sure the strike into your palm is clear and decisive to emphasize the suddenness of the medical event.

3

Call an ambulance, it's a heart attack!

Sign "call ambulance" with urgency, then sign "heart attack." Your facial expression and body language must convey high alarm and seriousness to accurately match the emergency situation.

How to Sign "Heart Attack"
To sign "heart attack," start by forming an open hand with your dominant hand, bending only your middle finger inward. Tap this middle finger against the left side of your chest to sign "heart." Next, form your dominant hand into a fist (an 'S' handshape). Hold your non-dominant hand in front of you with an open, flat palm facing upward. Bring your dominant fist down to firmly strike the open palm of your non-dominant hand.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for "heart attack" is a highly visual compound of two separate ASL concepts. The first half of the sign identifies the location and subject by placing the "feel" handshape—an open hand with the middle finger extended inward—directly over the physical location of the heart on the left side of the chest. The second half of the sign borrows the ASL action for "hit" or "strike," visually demonstrating a sudden, forceful impact. Together, these two parts create a literal and iconic representation of the heart being suddenly struck by a medical emergency.
Signing Tips
When learning how to sign "heart attack," focus heavily on the fluid transition between the two distinct parts of the sign. The movement from touching your chest to striking your palm should be continuous but clearly show both concepts. Additionally, always pair this sign with the appropriate non-manual markers (facial expressions). Because a heart attack is a severe medical emergency, your facial expression should reflect seriousness, concern, or urgency. A neutral or smiling face will confuse the context of this critical health-related term.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake beginners make is using a flat, open palm to touch their chest instead of the specific "feel" handshape. Ensure your hand is open but only the middle finger is bent inward to tap the chest. Another common error is making the second half of the sign too soft or hesitant. The dominant fist needs to firmly and decisively strike the non-dominant palm. If the impact is too gentle, it looks more like a light tap rather than conveying the sudden, forceful nature of an "attack."
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Heart Attack" in a Sentence
1

He had a heart attack last year.

Sign "he" and "past year," then sign "heart attack" by touching your chest with your middle finger and striking your fist into your open palm. Keep your expression serious to match the topic.

2

Eating healthy helps prevent a heart attack.

After signing "eat healthy" and "prevent," use the two-part "heart attack" sign. Make sure the strike into your palm is clear and decisive to emphasize the suddenness of the medical event.

3

Call an ambulance, it's a heart attack!

Sign "call ambulance" with urgency, then sign "heart attack." Your facial expression and body language must convey high alarm and seriousness to accurately match the emergency situation.

Frequently Asked Questions
Do I use my left hand to touch my chest since the heart is on the left?

You should always use your dominant hand for the active movements. Use your dominant hand to reach across and touch the left side of your chest. Then, use that same dominant hand to form the fist that strikes your non-dominant palm.

Can I use this sign to say I had a panic attack?

No, this sign is strictly for the physical medical emergency of a cardiac event. If you want to talk about a panic or anxiety attack, you would use completely different ASL signs that relate to breathing, anxiety, or the mind, rather than the physical heart.

How hard should I strike my palm for the second part?

You want to strike your non-dominant palm firmly enough to create a crisp, clear stopping motion, but never so hard that it causes discomfort. A solid, decisive impact effectively conveys the "attack" concept, whereas a soft tap might be misunderstood.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!