Which of the following is NOT a symptom of a heart attack?

In discussing the symptoms of a heart attack, it is essential to recognize the distinction between what constitutes a symptom and a physiological response. A heart attack typically presents with symptoms such as chest pain, discomfort in the arms, neck, stomach, or jaw (which includes pain in the mandible), shortness of breath, fatigue, and other related sensations. These symptoms reflect distress or dysfunction occurring within the body.

A beating heart, while often present during a heart attack, is not itself a symptom of the event. Rather, it is a normal physiological function that indicates the heart's response to various stimuli, including stress or excitement. In the context of a heart attack, the heart may be beating erratically or differently due to the distress it is experiencing, but the sensation of a heartbeat is not classified as a symptom indicative of a heart attack.

Symptoms like pain in the mandible, fatigue, and regurgitation, on the other hand, can all be associated with the myocardial infarction process and may help in identifying an ongoing issue. Thus, identifying a heartbeat as a symptom fails to align with the definition of symptoms associated with heart attacks, making it the correct choice for what is NOT considered a symptom in this context.