When you have a heart attack, it means that the blood flow to your heart muscle is suddenly blocked. If the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle is cut off, your heart cannot function properly. This can damage or destroy a part of your heart muscle. A heart attack is a medical emergency. If you think you or someone else may be having a heart attack, call 911 immediately and get to a hospital as soon as possible. When you arrive at the hospital, doctors will work quickly to try to restore blood flow to your heart. They also may give you medicine to help prevent further damage to your heart. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to open blocked arteries and restore blood flow to your heart. With early diagnosis and treatment, most people who have a heart attack survive and go on to live healthy lives.
The most common symptom of a heart attack is chest pain or discomfort that usually lasts more than a few minutes. It may feel like an uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. You may also experience pain in your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw or back. Shortness of breath, nausea, lightheadedness and breaking out in a cold sweat can also be symptoms of a heart attack (Mayo Clinic, 2022).
A heart attack should never be taken lightly. If it happens it can cause the heart muscle to die, and if it is not treated quickly, it can be fatal. The most common cause of a heart attack is coronary heart disease, which is a build-up of plaque in the arteries that supply the heart with blood. Other causes include high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking (Mayo Clinic, 2022). Heart attacks can often be prevented by making lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking (Mayo Clinic, 2022). If you are at risk of a heart attack, your doctor may also prescribe medication to help prevent it.
References
Mayo Clinic. (2022). Heart attack. Retrieved from
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-attack/symptoms-causes/syc-20373106
