Myocardial infarction - heart attack
- Article
- 2021-02-02
Also known as myocardial infarction
A heart attack happens when the flow of oxygen-rich blood to part of the heart muscle suddenly becomes blocked and the heart cannot receive oxygen. If blood flow is not restored quickly, the portion of the heart muscle begins to die.
Heart attack treatment works best if it is given right after symptoms appear. If you think you or someone else is having a heart attack, even if you're not sure, call 9-1-1 immediately .
Overview
Heart attacks usually occur as a result of ischemic heart disease, also called coronary artery disease or coronary artery disease. Ischemic heart disease is a condition in which a waxy substance called plaque builds up in the coronary arteries. These arteries supply oxygenated blood to your heart.
When plaque builds up in the arteries, the condition is called atherosclerosis. Plaque build-up occurs over many years.
Eventually, an area of plaque can tear (break open) in an artery. This causes a blood clot to form on the surface of the plaque. If the clot grows large enough, it can largely or completely block blood flow through a coronary artery.
If the blockage is not treated quickly, the part of the heart muscle that is fed by the artery begins to die. Healthy heart tissue is replaced by scar tissue. This heart damage may not be clear, or it could cause serious or long-term problems.
A less common cause of a heart attack is a severe spasm (narrowing) of a coronary artery. The spasm cuts off blood flow through the artery. Spasms can occur in coronary arteries unaffected by atherosclerosis.
Heart attacks can be associated with or lead to serious health problems, such as heart failure and life-threatening arrhythmias.
Heart failure is a condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. Arrhythmias are irregular heartbeats. Ventricular fibrillation is a life-threatening arrhythmia that can cause death if not treated right away.
Don't wait - get help quickly
Acting quickly at the first signs of heart attack symptoms can save your life and limit damage to your heart. The treatment works best if it is given immediately after symptoms appear.
Many people are not sure what is going on when they have heart attack symptoms. Some of the most common warning symptoms of a heart attack for both men and women include:
- Chest pain or discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center or left side of the chest. The discomfort usually lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back. It can feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain. It can also feel like heartburn or indigestion.
- Upper body discomfort. You may feel pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, shoulders, neck, jaw, or the upper part of the stomach (above the navel).
- Shortness of breath. This may be your only symptom, or it may occur before or along with chest pain or discomfort. It can occur when you are resting or doing some physical activity.
Other possible symptoms of a heart attack are:
- Break out in a cold sweat
- Feeling unusually tired for no reason, sometimes for days (especially if you are a woman)
- Nausea (feeling sick in the stomach) and vomiting
- Light-headedness or sudden dizziness
- Any sudden, new symptom or change in the pattern of symptoms you already have (for example, if your symptoms get stronger or last longer than usual)
Not all heart attacks start with the sudden, crushing chest pain often shown on TV or in the movies, or with other common symptoms such as chest discomfort. The symptoms of a heart attack can vary from person to person. Some people have few symptoms and are surprised to learn that they have had a heart attack. If you've already had a heart attack, your symptoms may not be the same for another.
Quick Action Can Save Your Life: Call 9–1–1
If you think you or someone else has symptoms of hart attack or heart attack, do not ignore or be ashamed to seek help. Call 9–1–1 for emergency medical assistance . Acting quickly can save your life.
Do not drive to the hospital or let anyone else drive you. Call an ambulance so medical personnel can begin life-saving treatment on their way to the emergency room. Take a nitroglycerin pill if your doctor has prescribed this type of treatment.
Symptoms
Not all heart attacks start with the sudden, crushing chest pain often seen on TV or in movies. For example, in one study, one-third of heart attack patients had no chest pain. These patients were more often older, female or diabetic.
The symptoms of a heart attack can vary from person to person. Some people have few symptoms and are surprised to learn that they have had a heart attack. If you've already had a heart attack, your symptoms may not be the same for another. It is important that you know the most common symptoms of a heart attack and also remember these facts:
- Heart attacks can start slowly and cause only mild pain or discomfort. The symptoms can be mild or more intense and sudden. Symptoms can also come and go within hours.
- People with high blood sugar (diabetes) may have no or very mild symptoms.
- The most common symptom, in both men and women, is chest pain or discomfort.
- Women are slightly more likely to have shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, unusual tiredness (sometimes for days) and pain in the back, shoulders and jaw.
Some people have no symptoms at all. Heart attacks that occur without symptoms or with very mild symptoms are called silent heart attacks.
Most common symptoms
The most common warning symptoms of a heart attack for both men and women are:
- Chest pain or discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center or left side of the chest. The discomfort usually lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back. It can feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain. It can also feel like heartburn or indigestion. The feeling can be mild or severe.
- Upper body discomfort. You may feel pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, shoulders, neck, jaw, or the upper part of the stomach (above the navel).
- Shortness of breath. This may be your only symptom, or it may occur before or along with chest pain or discomfort. It can occur when you are resting or doing some physical activity.
The symptoms of angina pectoris (an-JI-nuh or AN-juh-nuh) can be similar to the symptoms of a heart attack. Angina is chest pain that occurs in people with ischemic heart disease, usually when they are active. Angina pain usually only lasts for a few minutes and goes away with rest.
Chest pain or discomfort that does not go away or changes from the usual pattern (for example, occurs more often or while you are resting) could be a sign of a heart attack.
All chest pain should be monitored by a doctor.
Other common signs and symptoms
Keep an eye out for these other possible symptoms of a heart attack:
- Break out in a cold sweat
- Feeling unusually tired for no reason, sometimes for days (especially if you are a woman)
- Nausea (feeling sick in the stomach) and vomiting
- Light-headedness or sudden dizziness
- Any sudden, new symptoms or a change in the pattern of symptoms you already have (for example, if your symptoms get stronger or last longer than normal)
Not everyone who has a heart attack has typical symptoms. If you've already had a heart attack, your symptoms may not be the same for another. However, some people have a pattern of symptoms that return.
The more signs and symptoms you have, the more likely you are to have a heart attack.
Fast Action Can Save Your Life: Call 9–1–1
The signs and symptoms of a heart attack can come on suddenly. However, they can also develop slowly - sometimes within hours, days, or weeks after a heart attack.
Anytime you think you have symptoms of a heart attack or heart attack, don't ignore it or be ashamed for help
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