Heart Attack

A heart attack happens when the heart does not get enough blood supply for a period of time. Part or all of the heart muscle dies.

Signs & Symptoms

A heart attack may have warning signs. (See below). It can occur without signs, too. This is called a "silent" heart attack.

Causes

The most common cause is one or more blood clots that block an artery in the heart. Often, a blood clot forms in an artery already narrowed by plaque.

Having a heart attack in the past increases the risk for another one.

Spasms occur in the large coronary artery. This can be triggered by: Heavy physical exertion, such as shoveling snow; exposure to cold; severe emotional stress; and having a heavy meal. These triggers are more likely to affect persons who are not active.

Cocaine or amphetamine abuse can cause a sudden heart attack. This can happen in persons with no signs of heart disease.

Heart Attack Warning Signs

Common Warning Signs

Feeling of pain (may spread to or be felt in the arm, neck, tooth, jaw, or back), tightness, burning, squeezing, or heaviness in the chest. This lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.

Chest discomfort with:

Fainting

Feeling lightheaded.

Nausea.

Shortness of breath.

Sweating.

Other Warning Signs

Unusual chest, abdominal, or stomach pain.

Dizziness; nausea; trouble breathing; jaw or arm pain without chest pain.

Fast or uneven heartbeat or pulse.

Sweating for no reason, pale, gray, or clammy skin.

Signs More Likely in Women Than Men

An uneasy feeling in the chest with: Unexplained or extreme anxiety; unusual fatigue or weakness; fluttering heartbeats; or severe indigestion that doesn't go away with an antacid.

{Note: If any of these signs occur, call 9-1-1. Then, give "First Aid for a Heart Attack Before Emergency Care" listed below.}

Treatment

A heart attack is a medical emergency! Treatment works best when it is given within 1 to 2 hours after symptoms start. Treatment includes:

Medicine(s) to keep blood from clotting.

"Clot busters" to dissolve blood clots in heart arteries.

Tests to diagnose the status of the heart and arteries.

Angioplasty, stents, or bypass surgery, if needed.

Questions to Ask

Do any of these problems occur?

Any heart attack warning sign listed above.

For a person with angina, chest pain does not respond to prescribed medicine or go away in 10 to 15 minutes.

(Note: Call 911 without delay! Then, give first aid as needed. See below)

Self-Care / First Aid

Call 9-1-1 or your local rescue squad right away! Call when warning signs start. Don't wait to see if the pain goes away.

First Aid for a Heart Attack Before Emergency Care

Check for a response. (See Step 2 in First Aid Precautions.) Do CPR, as needed.

If the person uses and has nitroglycerin, place one tablet under the tongue. Give as many as 3 tablets in 10 minutes.

Give the person a regular (325 mg.) aspirin or 4 children's chewable aspirins (81 mg. each) to chew on. Give the aspirin after calling 9-1-1. Ask the 9-1-1 dispatcher if aspirin should be taken. {Note: Don't use aspirin if the person is allergic to it or has a condition that makes using it risky.}

If you can't call 9-1-1, drive the person to the hospital right away. If you are having heart attack signs, don't drive yourself unless you have no other choice.

Loosen clothing around the neck, chest, and waist. Don't let the person lie down, especially if he or she has breathing problems. A half-sitting position is better. Put the legs up. Bend them at the knees. Put a pillow or rolled towel under the knees. Support the back.

Reassure the person that you have called for medical help and will stay with him or her until it arrives.

After a heart attack, follow the doctor's treatment plan.

Prevention

Follow prevention measures in Heart Disease.

Take medications, as prescribed.

Don't shovel snow or carry heavy objects, especially if you are not physically fit.

Don't use amphetamines and/or cocaine.