Ms Shedden couldn't get to sleep and, a few hours later, developed back pain.

Ms Shedden didn't realise she was having a heart attack but the quick thinking of her son potentially saved her life.

"I was up from Melbourne at the time, I hadn't actually shifted to Bendigo at that stage, and I was staying with my son in his unit," Ms Shedden said.

"I was laying in bed and couldn't sleep, normally I don't have any troubles.

"After a while I realised I wasn't going to get to sleep so I got up and walked around and went back to bed.

"My son kept saying, 'Are you OK?', and I said I was fine.

"But then I started having pressure in my back - it wasn't horrific or anything but it just wasn't right.

"It was 11.30pm by this stage and I told my son I wasn't any better so he decided to take me up to the hospital which was just as well."

Ms Shedden, 70, has been attending cardio rehabilitation every week at Bendigo Health since September.

"We each have our programs set for us, it's fantastic," she said.

"I'm just glad still be around to be able to do it."

Ms Shedden shared her story with the Bendigo Advertiser to highlight there are many different heart attack warning signs.

"There are so so many symptoms, everybody is different," she said.

"So if you're not feeling right, get help.

"It's great if it's not a heart attack but don't chance not getting help."

Meanwhile, The Heart Foundation is urging all Australians to reduce their risk of having a heart attack as part of Heart Week which is marked from May 4 to 10.

Heart Foundation Victoria chief executive Diana Heggie said 10,000 Australians die of a heart attack every year.

“We’re pleading with Australians to avoid becoming a statistic by doing two things – find out their risk of heart attack by visiting their doctor and learn the warning signs by visiting heartattackfacts.org.au," she said.

“Heart attack warning signs aren’t always what you think - symptoms are not necessarily sudden or severe and some people don’t experience chest pain at all. 

“If you think you could be having a heart attack, call Triple Zero (000) immediately, because the longer you wait, the more your heart muscle dies. 

“The first step people can take to help prevent a heart attack, is to find out their risk of having one."

Heart attack warning signs may include pain, pressure, heaviness or tightness in one or more parts of the upper body (chest, neck, jaw, arm(s), shoulder(s) or back) in combination with other symptoms of nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness or a cold sweat.

For more information, visit heartattackfacts.org.au