4 Things that Happen Before a Heart Attack

4 Things that Happen Before a Heart Attack

When a person has a “heart attack” it is also known as a “myocardial infarction. What this means is that something has occurred to block the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart muscle. This can cause permanent damage to the heart and possibly even death.

Over the recent years, deaths due to heart attacks have decreased largely due to faster recognition of the symptoms and prompt treatment. In order to avoid serious complications, it is very important to know what the symptoms are and call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room if you suspect a heart attack.

4 Things that Happen Before a Heart Attack
1. Chest Pain and Tightness
Chest pain with a sudden onset that is severe and makes you need to stop whatever you are doing could be a possible heart attack. Some people describe the feeling of a heart attack as; an elephant on the chest, full feeling, squeezing pressure, aching or pain/pressure in the middle of the chest. If you experience these sensations try to rest and if it does not go away or comes and goes you may be having a heart attack.

2. Sweating
When you sweat normal amounts during exercise or on hot days, this is a natural body reaction to keep you cool. If you break out in “cold sweats” during rest or when it is cool and your skin turns clammy, this may be a sign of artery blockage and you should see a doctor. On the same note, if you have “Night Sweats” you could have heart trouble.

3. Indigestion, Nausea and Vomiting
Prior to a heart attack, some people may experience stomach upset or indigestion. If you are older and already have problems with digestion, it could be very easy to mistake a heart attack for normal indigestion. In those who do not suffer from digestive issues, a sudden onset of Heartburn or indigestion could be the first sign of a heart attack.

4. Pain in Other Parts of the Body
This symptom, also known as “referred pain,” could be a sign of an impending heart attack. Heart attack pain can travel to different areas including; the left arm, shoulder, throat, jaw, teeth back and abdomen. If you have any of the above symptoms with referred pain, you need to get emergency medical help right away.

Watch a video for symptoms of a heart attack and the right diet to prevent it:

Other Signs of a Heart Attack
1. Fatigue
Fatigue can often be a common symptom of just about any condition, especially when you have fever and fatigue then it may be just a passing illness. What is important to know is when you have fatigue coupled with the above symptoms such as; indigestion, chest pain, sweating and referred pain you may be having a heart attack and need medical attention. Women tend to report fatigue as a classic heart attack symptom more often than men.

2. Dizziness
People don’t often think of dizziness as a heart attack symptom, because when people think about heart attacks they often think it is associated with chest pain. Dizziness is a symptom that should not be ignored if it is accompanied by other symptoms of a heart attack. When it is associated with a heart attack it is caused by less blood and oxygen getting to the brain. You may or may not faint with heart attack dizziness and if you are dizzy and still conscious, seek medical attention right away.

3. Rapid or Irregular Heartbeat
This is a tricky symptom because a racing heart beat can be a sign of many things. You may experience a fast heart rate with conditions such as; Anxiety attacks, exercise, stimulant use and other things. It is a sign that the heart is working hard. This is normal if the heart rate drops back down after a period of rest. If the heart rate doesn’t drop down in a timely fashion and there is other factors involved like; smoking, high Blood Pressure and high cholesterol then you could be having a heart attack.

4. Shortness of Breath
People often mistake shortness of breath for a problem with the lungs. Remember the lungs take in the oxygen that feeds the heart muscle, so sometimes breathing difficulties may be the heart telling you it needs more oxygen. If you feel short of breath with any of the above symptoms, then you should get medical help right away.

5. Anxiety
Anxiety is a very common condition that many people suffer from. Under normal circumstances, you may experience anxiety with increased Stress or emotional upset. If you have anxiety and don’t see any “real” reason behind it you should maybe assess the situation a little further:

• Do you have other symptoms listed above?
• Have you ever had anxiety before, or is this your first anxiety attack?
• Do you feel like something bad is about to happen?
• Is does your anxiety attack seem “out of place” with your current situation or irrational?

If you answer is “yes” to any of the above four questions, it is probably a good idea to seek emergency medical attention right away. This type of anxiety that doesn’t seem to fit could be a sign of an impending heart attack and better be safe than sorry.

Important Note
The symptoms of a heart attack are different for everyone. No two people have all of the symptoms or the same severity of heart attack symptoms. For instance, one person may have crushing chest pain while another may only have a slight twinge of chest pain. A heart attack can even come on suddenly and quickly and cause the heart to stop beating (cardiac arrest). There are people that have had cardiac arrest from a heart attack without any warning at all or they didn’t notice the warning signs because they didn’t understand them. Just know that the more of the above symptoms you have clustered together, the more likely you may be having a heart attack.

How to Deal with a Heart Attack
1. Call for Emergency Help
Time is the single most important factor in saving a life during a heart attack. If you suspect you or someone else is having a heart attack, call 911 right away. If you can’t call 911 have someone drive you to the hospital right away. Never drive yourself if you think you are having a heart attack unless absolutely necessary. You could pass out while driving and hurt yourself or others.

2. Use Your Nitroglycerin
If you are at risk for a heart attack, your doctor may have already given you a prescription for nitroglycerin tablets. If you experience heart attack symptoms, call 911 and then take a nitroglycerin until help arrives.

3. Try Taking an Aspirin
Taking an emergency aspirin at the onset of symptoms can help thin the blood and reduce the risk of a clot blocking the heart muscle. Take a 160mg to 325mg aspirin, chew it up and swallow it. This will help the medication get into your bloodstream quickly. Call 911 first, and then chew up an aspirin while you wait for help to arrive.

Watch This Video On Heart Attack Prevention:

Heart Attack Symptoms in Women

Heart Attack Symptoms in Women Thecommon perception about the heart attack in general population is pretty clear cut. A lot of people think that Heart diseases are only common in male subjects. Unfortunately, this concept is wrong as heart attack is more frequently reported in females and causes more deaths as compared to males. The most probable reason behind this misconception is perhaps the difference in symptoms experienced by women. Women usually describes the signs of heart attack as a heavy feeling in the chest or tightening of the chest muscles with stabbing or aching radiating pain in the shoulder joints. If a woman is experiencing such symptoms, get medical assistance immediately since it could be a heart attack.

Primary Heart Attack Symptoms in Women
The symptoms of heart attack in women are milder and more toned down compared to men. The level of pain in chest and shoulders may vary between the two genders. Here are somesigns of heart attack in women:

Symptoms	Description
Chest tightening	Most women would describe the symptoms of pain as chest tightening, almost as if the muscles are being squeezed together. There can also be a general feeling of heaviness on the chest.
Upper body pain	Pain may be felt in shoulders and neck during a heart attack, but it may also exaggerate to the neck and jaw lines, this is because the nerves and muscles start pulling which leads to pain.
Sleep disorder	Some sleep disorders relate to loss of muscular spasticity during sleep, this occurs because the muscles of the lungs become paralyzed or blocked. This results in apnea or difficulty in breathing. If one is unable to catch his breath even after waking up, chances are that they are suffering from symptoms of heart attack.
Anxiety and Stress	Sudden increase in heart beat and profuse sweating is an indication that the heart is overworking and stressing the body as a result. This is perhaps the most common sign of heart attack.
Abdomen pain	In some cases, abdominal pain or stomach painis mistaken when experiencing heart attack; some women assume this pain as Heartburn and ignore it.
Apnea	Since the heart is overburdened during heart attack, the body is likely to experience shortness of breath and difficulty in maintaining normal breathing rhythm.
Profuse sweating	Again, because of excessive stress and workout of the heart, heavy sweating is the most likely symptom to be noticed.
Fatigue	Since the heart muscles are weak and hypoxic, the amount of blood pumped to the entire body is also affected.And this affects the nutritional supply to the organs and the overall function decreases, which result in fatigue and tiredness.

What to Do If You Notice Heart Attack Symptoms

• Once you realize you are experiencing heart attack symptoms, call for people around you. Do not drive to the hospitalbut call for help, and try to catch your breath and do as little activity as possible. Rushing to the hospital especially if you are on your own would only increase the risks of accidents and cause more panic and confusion for yourself. Even if you are not sure about the symptoms, and feel like the room is suddenly very suffocating and you feel pain in your body, call for help, do not wait for something severe to happen or treat it yourself, which would only make the condition worse.


• If you are witnessing a heart attack, make sure you call for help immediately. If aspirin is available nearby, get the person to chew it as it works quicker than swallow. Next, ensure the person is properly ventilated as his breathing will be likely impaired. In case the person is semiconscious or has fainted and is showing signs of difficulty in breathing, perform a CPR, and if you do not know how to do it, ask help from 911. These steps will ensure that person’s health is well taken care of until the paramedic staff arrives.

How to Lower Risks of Heart Attack

• Eat healthy. Avoid fatty food and diet rich in sugar. It is best to combine fruits, cereals and vegetables along with controlled portions of meat and fats. Having a balanced diet reduces the risk of heart attack by almost 25%.


• Exercise regularly and moderately. Exercise is recommended to both healthy individuals and those at risk of heart attack. Half an hour of exercise everyday can reduce the risk of heart attack by 50%. Aerobic exercises, like jogging or even walking,are preferable, but it must be done every day. If continuous exercise is difficult, then the regimen could be split into smaller portions until stamina develops.


• Take medicine. When a doctor recommends you medicines and you choose not to take it, you are putting yourself at direct risk of even worse episodes.


• Quit smoking and limit alcohol. Alcohol if consumed in certain controlled amounts may actually help the heart, but overuse puts the person at risk of Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke. Same is the case with smoking since chemicals in the cigarette smoke can harden and damage the arteries of the heart, resulting in Atherosclerosis, ischemia and stroke.


• Lose some weight.High BMI (body mass index) suggests you are at a high risk of heart attack, as it increases the chances of atheroma formation and platelet aggregation that may clog your arteries.


• Have regular annual checkups. If you are at risk of heart diseases or are overweight, it is best to arrange tests to analyze your heart function. Even if you are not at direct risk, keep up with your annual checkups to monitor your vital organ health.


• Monitor your symptoms. If you experience new and anomalous symptoms all of a sudden, do not hesitate to inform your doctor about it. It is wiser to treat your disease at an early stage than waiting for it to worsen overtime.

Watch this video to learn more about how to reduce your heart disease risks:

First Aid for Heart Attack

First Aid for Heart Attack Heart attack is one of the most dangerous health conditions because it happens unexpectedly and can be fatal if not attended immediately. The cause of heart attack is insufficient blood supply to the heart for a certain period of time. As a result, the heart muscle is partially destroyed. It is generally thought that heart attack is often triggered by great Stress or strenuous physical activity. Indeed, if you have a Heart disease, you shouldn’t strain yourself too much. But the truth is that a heart attack can occur during leisure activities such as shopping, relaxing on the sofa or even after waking from a sound sleep.

Symptoms of a Heart Attack
Did you know you can have a heart attack without feeling any pains in the chest? Symptoms of a heart failure and a heart disease are not the same, especially with women. Many factors can contribute to a heart attack. The most common factors are: heredity, age, high Blood Pressure, high cholesterol, alcohol, Obesity, inadequate eating habits, poor physical activity and, last but not least, stress. Here are some of the main warning signs of a forthcoming heart attack:

• Excessive Sweating, especially if physical exercise is not part of your everyday routine, should be a red light. When your arteries are clogged, it takes more effort forthe heart to pump blood through them. So the body starts to sweat harder to avoid hyperventilation, i.e. high temperature.


• Chest pain, though not necessarily accompanying every heart attack, is the surest sign that it’s happening. If you are experiencing tightness or pains in the chest, you’d better call for help immediately.


• Gastrointestinal problems. Indigestion or other stomach discomforts could be another sign of an imminent heart attack. Older people, who often have stomach disorders, tend to ignore these symptoms, which increases the risk for them. If you usually have an iron stomach, do pay attention to any indigestion problems that may occur and call you doctor immediately.


• Exhaustion and shortness of breath. If you experience these two symptoms, you should be on high alert, because they could be a sign of excessive stress to your heart. Fatigue and shortness of breath are the typical heart attack signs in women, so if they experience them, they should consult a doctor.


• Pain in other body parts. Heart attack can also show that it's forthcoming by causing pain in other parts of the body. Discomfort in the left arm is an almost sure sign of that condition. Heart attack ache can also occur in other parts of the body, including shoulder, back, upper abdomen, throat, teeth or jaw.

First Aid for Heart Attack


It’s very important that a heart attack is attended immediately. There are some first aid procedures that can save the patient’s life or avoid further complications. It’s useful for everyone to be able to perform them in case somebody around us suffers a heart attack.

What to Do If You Are Having a Heart Attack

Call 911 or the local emergency medical service. If you experience heart attack symptoms, do not wait for more than five minutes. If you can’t call any medical service, ask a friend or a neighbor to drive you to the nearest hospital or medical center. If you don’t have other means of transport, you can drive to the emergency center yourself, but do that as a very last resort and be extremely careful on the way.

Try some aspirins.Taking aspirin is an effective way to block the virus. But keep in mind that it will not help you much or long without professional help. So call 911 immediately if you have the heart attack.

Take your own nitroglycerin. If you feel you are having a heart attack and you have been prescribed nitroglycerine for a heart condition, take it as your doctor has instructed you. Don’t take another person’s nitroglycerin because it can prove dangerous for you.

What to Do If Someone Else Is Having a Heart Attack
Quick action is crucial in case of a heart attack because it can increase the patient’s chance of survival and reduce the harm done to the heart. Here are the necessary steps you should take when you suspect that someone is having a heart attack.

Step 1: Seat the person down and communicate with the patient.

Explain to him or her that they should keep calm and rest. When someone is having a heart attack, he does not fall unconscious immediately and often does not do it at all. So it’s very important to communicate with the patient – ask them where it hurts, instruct them to relax and breathe deeply. Explain to them how you are helping, e.g. calling for emergency medical team, doing CPR, etc.

Step 2: Help the patient to take medications.

Unbutton their shirt and loosen the tie so that they can breathe easily.Ask if they take medication for a heart condition, such as nitroglycerine, and help them have a dosage of it.If you see that their condition does not improve 3 minutes after taking the medication, call for a professional medical help.

Step 3: Perform the CRP to help.

Call for an ambulance if the patient is unconscious or does not respond, then immediately start performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).If you are not trained doing CPR, you’d better skip mouth-to-mouth breathing and resort only to chest compressions. They should be about 100 per minute. Ask the emergency line dispatcher if you are not sure how to do CPR correctly. If you don’t know CPR at all, there’s still a way to help the patient. Just start pushing fast and hard into the center of their chest and continue doing that until professional help arrives or if the person regains consciousness. This procedure, known as Hands-Only CPR, is equally safe for adults and children over 8 years of age.

Another emergency procedure in case of a heart attack is defibrillation. If you have AED (automatic external defibrillator) at hand, follow the instructions written on the device. It tells if a patient needs electroshock treatment to revive heart beatings. Note that the EAD is safe for the person who handles it because it gives electroshocks only to anyone who needs them.

Here Are the Things You Should NOT Do in Case of a Heart Attack:

• Do not leave the patient alone, except to call for help;


• Do not listen if the patient tells you that they will be all right and there is no need to seek professional help;


• Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away;


• Do not give the person any medication, unless they have some already prescribed by their doctor, such as nitroglycerine.

The video below will give you more information on how to give first aid to a person with a heart attack:

Heart Attack and Stroke : First Aid Treatment

Heart Attack and Stroke : First Aid Treatment






Heart attack has become a common term nowadays. Heart attack is one of the major causes of death worldwide. It is true that thousands of people die due to heart attack each year. Unlike popularly believe, heart attack will not stop the functioning of heart but it only damages and weakens the heart muscle. Most of the cases die within few minutes if prompt medical care is not given.

Heart :

Your heart is about the size of your fist and includes 4 chambers of which two are auricles and two are ventricles. Various valves are connected with these chambers for helping to and fro movement of oxygenated blood.

• Impure blood is received by the heart and pumped into the lungs wherein it gets transformed to oxygenated blood. This type of pure blood is sent to every organ of the body through ventricle. If your heart functions well, you can be sure that sufficient oxygen supply is given to the entire body.


• When the heart stops its function of pumping blood suddenly, the cells in the body gets deprived of oxygen. This makes them unable to perform its functions normally and cell death occurs within minutes. This in turn causes death. Death occurs almost instantly when the blood and oxygen supply is cut off to the brain.

Why Does The Heart Stop ?

The pumping activity of the heart is done in specific rhythm and the electrical impulses are generated there making the heart to contract and relax. As long as there is electrical activity in the heart, it can function well. Due to some factors, this rhythm gets interrupted causing irregular heartbeat. This in turn leads to sudden cardiac arrest. Many times, this kind of irregular heartbeat is made normal by the heart which is capable of generating nerve impulses. However the heart may stop functioning when there is severe and persistent irregular heartbeat.

Sudden enlargement of heart, congenital Heart disease, narrowing of artery of the heart due to Plague deposits, and severe disturbances in the transmission of electrical impulses are the leading cause of heart attack.

How Long You Can Survive After The Heart Stops Working ?

Oxygenated blood supply is abruptly stopped when the heart stops working. A person can remain alive for 5-7 minutes after the heart has stopped its beat. Brain cells die fast without oxygen. Immediate restoration of heart’s function can help in the survival of the person. Death will occur within 10 minutes (maximum) after the heart’s function has stopped. In many cases, even if the person is put on artificial lung machine like ventilator, death can occur due to brain tissue damage. Now the person is declared “brain dead”.

Heart Attack First Aid Treatment :

• CPR :

Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, simply known as CPR is the only method that can increase the chances of survival of the person with heart attack. CPR can be done by any person until the affected person is taken to the nearest medical care unit. CPR can save plenty of life even when the heart has stopped working.

Basics Of CPR :

Chest compression, airway and breathing are the fundamental sequence of CPR. The chest area is to be compressed with force using both your hands. CPR should be done continuously after calling the medical help.

• Choose a flat floor for laying the unconscious person.


• Now place your fist of one hand on the chest area.


• Next other hand should cover the first one.


• Keep the elbows in straight position


• Now use maximum force to push down the chest area. You can place the entire body weight on your hands to push it down. This is known as chest compression.


• The rate of compression should be around 100-120 per minute. This should be fast and continuous.

Breathing and Airways :

• After performing 30 such compression you can go for airway and breathing.


• Lift the chin gently by moving the head backwards so that airway is opened freely.


• Now place your mouth on the person’s mouth and blow the air with force. This is what is called as rescue breath.


• If the person is still breathing the chances of survival is high.


• Rescue breath is given for one second and check whether the chest has started moving. If not, try for a second breath by repeating the same step.


• You can be free when the person’s chest rises and starts working.


• If not, continue giving chest compression again for 30 times or until the emergency ambulance arrives.

How Far CPR Is Effective ?

By compressing the chest with force, you are pumping the blood out of heart artificially. This is the work done by the heart. Indirectly you are helping the heart to revoke its function of pumping oxygenated blood to other organs. The second step in CPR is to give rescue breath. You are blowing oxygen directly into the lungs thus giving artificial respiration. Hence by continued effort of chest compression (30 times) followed by rescue breath you are considerably increasing the chances of survival of affected person.

Prognosis :

• Outlook of the patient depends on two factors.


• Early the medical services arrive, higher the chances of survival.


• Early the CPR is started, higher the chances of survival.


• However, some patients die on the way to hospital due to death of brain tissue.

4 Things that Happen Before a Heart Attack

4 Things that Happen Before a Heart Attack



When a person has a “heart attack” it is also known as a “myocardial infarction. What this means is that something has occurred to block the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart muscle. This can cause permanent damage to the heart and possibly even death.

Over the recent years, deaths due to heart attacks have decreased largely due to faster recognition of the symptoms and prompt treatment. In order to avoid serious complications, it is very important to know what the symptoms are and call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room if you suspect a heart attack.

4 Things that Happen Before a Heart Attack
1. Chest Pain and Tightness
Chest pain with a sudden onset that is severe and makes you need to stop whatever you are doing could be a possible heart attack. Some people describe the feeling of a heart attack as; an elephant on the chest, full feeling, squeezing pressure, aching or pain/pressure in the middle of the chest. If you experience these sensations try to rest and if it does not go away or comes and goes you may be having a heart attack.

2. Sweating
When you sweat normal amounts during exercise or on hot days, this is a natural body reaction to keep you cool. If you break out in “cold sweats” during rest or when it is cool and your skin turns clammy, this may be a sign of artery blockage and you should see a doctor. On the same note, if you have “Night Sweats” you could have heart trouble.

3. Indigestion, Nausea and Vomiting
Prior to a heart attack, some people may experience stomach upset or indigestion. If you are older and already have problems with digestion, it could be very easy to mistake a heart attack for normal indigestion. In those who do not suffer from digestive issues, a sudden onset of Heartburn or indigestion could be the first sign of a heart attack.

4. Pain in Other Parts of the Body
This symptom, also known as “referred pain,” could be a sign of an impending heart attack. Heart attack pain can travel to different areas including; the left arm, shoulder, throat, jaw, teeth back and abdomen. If you have any of the above symptoms with referred pain, you need to get emergency medical help right away.

Watch a video for symptoms of a heart attack and the right diet to prevent it:

Other Signs of a Heart Attack
1. Fatigue
Fatigue can often be a common symptom of just about any condition, especially when you have fever and fatigue then it may be just a passing illness. What is important to know is when you have fatigue coupled with the above symptoms such as; indigestion, chest pain, sweating and referred pain you may be having a heart attack and need medical attention. Women tend to report fatigue as a classic heart attack symptom more often than men.

2. Dizziness
People don’t often think of dizziness as a heart attack symptom, because when people think about heart attacks they often think it is associated with chest pain. Dizziness is a symptom that should not be ignored if it is accompanied by other symptoms of a heart attack. When it is associated with a heart attack it is caused by less blood and oxygen getting to the brain. You may or may not faint with heart attack dizziness and if you are dizzy and still conscious, seek medical attention right away.

3. Rapid or Irregular Heartbeat
This is a tricky symptom because a racing heart beat can be a sign of many things. You may experience a fast heart rate with conditions such as; anxiety attacks, exercise, stimulant use and other things. It is a sign that the heart is working hard. This is normal if the heart rate drops back down after a period of rest. If the heart rate doesn’t drop down in a timely fashion and there is other factors involved like; smoking, high Blood Pressure and high cholesterol then you could be having a heart attack.

4. Shortness of Breath
People often mistake shortness of breath for a problem with the lungs. Remember the lungs take in the oxygen that feeds the heart muscle, so sometimes breathing difficulties may be the heart telling you it needs more oxygen. If you feel short of breath with any of the above symptoms, then you should get medical help right away.

5. Anxiety
Anxiety is a very common condition that many people suffer from. Under normal circumstances, you may experience anxiety with increased Stress or emotional upset. If you have anxiety and don’t see any “real” reason behind it you should maybe assess the situation a little further:

• Do you have other symptoms listed above?
• Have you ever had anxiety before, or is this your first anxiety attack?
• Do you feel like something bad is about to happen?
• Is does your anxiety attack seem “out of place” with your current situation or irrational?

If you answer is “yes” to any of the above four questions, it is probably a good idea to seek emergency medical attention right away. This type of anxiety that doesn’t seem to fit could be a sign of an impending heart attack and better be safe than sorry.

Important Note
The symptoms of a heart attack are different for everyone. No two people have all of the symptoms or the same severity of heart attack symptoms. For instance, one person may have crushing chest pain while another may only have a slight twinge of chest pain. A heart attack can even come on suddenly and quickly and cause the heart to stop beating (cardiac arrest). There are people that have had cardiac arrest from a heart attack without any warning at all or they didn’t notice the warning signs because they didn’t understand them. Just know that the more of the above symptoms you have clustered together, the more likely you may be having a heart attack.

How to Deal with a Heart Attack
1. Call for Emergency Help
Time is the single most important factor in saving a life during a heart attack. If you suspect you or someone else is having a heart attack, call 911 right away. If you can’t call 911 have someone drive you to the hospital right away. Never drive yourself if you think you are having a heart attack unless absolutely necessary. You could pass out while driving and hurt yourself or others.

2. Use Your Nitroglycerin
If you are at risk for a heart attack, your doctor may have already given you a prescription for nitroglycerin tablets. If you experience heart attack symptoms, call 911 and then take a nitroglycerin until help arrives.

3. Try Taking an Aspirin
Taking an emergency aspirin at the onset of symptoms can help thin the blood and reduce the risk of a clot blocking the heart muscle. Take a 160mg to 325mg aspirin, chew it up and swallow it. This will help the medication get into your bloodstream quickly. Call 911 first, and then chew up an aspirin while you wait for help to arrive.

Watch This Video On Heart Attack Prevention:

Heart Attack Symptoms in Women

Heart Attack Symptoms in Women

Thecommon perception about the heart attack in general population is pretty clear cut. A lot of people think that Heart diseases are only common in male subjects. Unfortunately, this concept is wrong as heart attack is more frequently reported in females and causes more deaths as compared to males. The most probable reason behind this misconception is perhaps the difference in symptoms experienced by women. Women usually describes the signs of heart attack as a heavy feeling in the chest or tightening of the chest muscles with stabbing or aching radiating pain in the shoulder joints. If a woman is experiencing such symptoms, get medical assistance immediately since it could be a heart attack.

Primary Heart Attack Symptoms in Women
The symptoms of heart attack in women are milder and more toned down compared to men. The level of pain in chest and shoulders may vary between the two genders. Here are somesigns of heart attack in women:

Symptoms	Description
Chest tightening	Most women would describe the symptoms of pain as chest tightening, almost as if the muscles are being squeezed together. There can also be a general feeling of heaviness on the chest.
Upper body pain	Pain may be felt in shoulders and neck during a heart attack, but it may also exaggerate to the neck and jaw lines, this is because the nerves and muscles start pulling which leads to pain.
Sleep disorder	Some sleep disorders relate to loss of muscular spasticity during sleep, this occurs because the muscles of the lungs become paralyzed or blocked. This results in apnea or difficulty in breathing. If one is unable to catch his breath even after waking up, chances are that they are suffering from symptoms of heart attack.
Anxiety and Stress	Sudden increase in heart beat and profuse sweating is an indication that the heart is overworking and stressing the body as a result. This is perhaps the most common sign of heart attack.
Abdomen pain	In some cases, abdominal pain or stomach painis mistaken when experiencing heart attack; some women assume this pain as Heartburn and ignore it.
Apnea	Since the heart is overburdened during heart attack, the body is likely to experience shortness of breath and difficulty in maintaining normal breathing rhythm.
Profuse sweating	Again, because of excessive stress and workout of the heart, heavy sweating is the most likely symptom to be noticed.
Fatigue	Since the heart muscles are weak and hypoxic, the amount of blood pumped to the entire body is also affected.And this affects the nutritional supply to the organs and the overall function decreases, which result in fatigue and tiredness.

What to Do If You Notice Heart Attack Symptoms

• Once you realize you are experiencing heart attack symptoms, call for people around you. Do not drive to the hospitalbut call for help, and try to catch your breath and do as little activity as possible. Rushing to the hospital especially if you are on your own would only increase the risks of accidents and cause more panic and confusion for yourself. Even if you are not sure about the symptoms, and feel like the room is suddenly very suffocating and you feel pain in your body, call for help, do not wait for something severe to happen or treat it yourself, which would only make the condition worse.


• If you are witnessing a heart attack, make sure you call for help immediately. If aspirin is available nearby, get the person to chew it as it works quicker than swallow. Next, ensure the person is properly ventilated as his breathing will be likely impaired. In case the person is semiconscious or has fainted and is showing signs of difficulty in breathing, perform a CPR, and if you do not know how to do it, ask help from 911. These steps will ensure that person’s health is well taken care of until the paramedic staff arrives.

How to Lower Risks of Heart Attack

• Eat healthy. Avoid fatty food and diet rich in sugar. It is best to combine fruits, cereals and vegetables along with controlled portions of meat and fats. Having a balanced diet reduces the risk of heart attack by almost 25%.


• Exercise regularly and moderately. Exercise is recommended to both healthy individuals and those at risk of heart attack. Half an hour of exercise everyday can reduce the risk of heart attack by 50%. Aerobic exercises, like jogging or even walking,are preferable, but it must be done every day. If continuous exercise is difficult, then the regimen could be split into smaller portions until stamina develops.


• Take medicine. When a doctor recommends you medicines and you choose not to take it, you are putting yourself at direct risk of even worse episodes.


• Quit smoking and limit alcohol. Alcohol if consumed in certain controlled amounts may actually help the heart, but overuse puts the person at risk of Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke. Same is the case with smoking since chemicals in the cigarette smoke can harden and damage the arteries of the heart, resulting in Atherosclerosis, ischemia and stroke.


• Lose some weight.High BMI (body mass index) suggests you are at a high risk of heart attack, as it increases the chances of atheroma formation and platelet aggregation that may clog your arteries.


• Have regular annual checkups. If you are at risk of heart diseases or are overweight, it is best to arrange tests to analyze your heart function. Even if you are not at direct risk, keep up with your annual checkups to monitor your vital organ health.


• Monitor your symptoms. If you experience new and anomalous symptoms all of a sudden, do not hesitate to inform your doctor about it. It is wiser to treat your disease at an early stage than waiting for it to worsen overtime.

Watch this video to learn more about how to reduce your heart disease risks:

First Aid for Heart Attack

First Aid for Heart Attack

Heart attack is one of the most dangerous health conditions because it happens unexpectedly and can be fatal if not attended immediately. The cause of heart attack is insufficient blood supply to the heart for a certain period of time. As a result, the heart muscle is partially destroyed. It is generally thought that heart attack is often triggered by great Stress or strenuous physical activity. Indeed, if you have a Heart disease, you shouldn’t strain yourself too much. But the truth is that a heart attack can occur during leisure activities such as shopping, relaxing on the sofa or even after waking from a sound sleep.

Symptoms of a Heart Attack
Did you know you can have a heart attack without feeling any pains in the chest? Symptoms of a heart failure and a heart disease are not the same, especially with women. Many factors can contribute to a heart attack. The most common factors are: heredity, age, high Blood Pressure, high cholesterol, alcohol, Obesity, inadequate eating habits, poor physical activity and, last but not least, stress. Here are some of the main warning signs of a forthcoming heart attack:

• Excessive Sweating, especially if physical exercise is not part of your everyday routine, should be a red light. When your arteries are clogged, it takes more effort forthe heart to pump blood through them. So the body starts to sweat harder to avoid hyperventilation, i.e. high temperature.


• Chest pain, though not necessarily accompanying every heart attack, is the surest sign that it’s happening. If you are experiencing tightness or pains in the chest, you’d better call for help immediately.


• Gastrointestinal problems. Indigestion or other stomach discomforts could be another sign of an imminent heart attack. Older people, who often have stomach disorders, tend to ignore these symptoms, which increases the risk for them. If you usually have an iron stomach, do pay attention to any indigestion problems that may occur and call you doctor immediately.


• Exhaustion and shortness of breath. If you experience these two symptoms, you should be on high alert, because they could be a sign of excessive stress to your heart. Fatigue and shortness of breath are the typical heart attack signs in women, so if they experience them, they should consult a doctor.


• Pain in other body parts. Heart attack can also show that it's forthcoming by causing pain in other parts of the body. Discomfort in the left arm is an almost sure sign of that condition. Heart attack ache can also occur in other parts of the body, including shoulder, back, upper abdomen, throat, teeth or jaw.

First Aid for Heart Attack


It’s very important that a heart attack is attended immediately. There are some first aid procedures that can save the patient’s life or avoid further complications. It’s useful for everyone to be able to perform them in case somebody around us suffers a heart attack.

What to Do If You Are Having a Heart Attack

Call 911 or the local emergency medical service. If you experience heart attack symptoms, do not wait for more than five minutes. If you can’t call any medical service, ask a friend or a neighbor to drive you to the nearest hospital or medical center. If you don’t have other means of transport, you can drive to the emergency center yourself, but do that as a very last resort and be extremely careful on the way.

Try some aspirins.Taking aspirin is an effective way to block the virus. But keep in mind that it will not help you much or long without professional help. So call 911 immediately if you have the heart attack.

Take your own nitroglycerin. If you feel you are having a heart attack and you have been prescribed nitroglycerine for a heart condition, take it as your doctor has instructed you. Don’t take another person’s nitroglycerin because it can prove dangerous for you.

What to Do If Someone Else Is Having a Heart Attack
Quick action is crucial in case of a heart attack because it can increase the patient’s chance of survival and reduce the harm done to the heart. Here are the necessary steps you should take when you suspect that someone is having a heart attack.

Step 1: Seat the person down and communicate with the patient.

Explain to him or her that they should keep calm and rest. When someone is having a heart attack, he does not fall unconscious immediately and often does not do it at all. So it’s very important to communicate with the patient – ask them where it hurts, instruct them to relax and breathe deeply. Explain to them how you are helping, e.g. calling for emergency medical team, doing CPR, etc.

Step 2: Help the patient to take medications.

Unbutton their shirt and loosen the tie so that they can breathe easily.Ask if they take medication for a heart condition, such as nitroglycerine, and help them have a dosage of it.If you see that their condition does not improve 3 minutes after taking the medication, call for a professional medical help.

Step 3: Perform the CRP to help.

Call for an ambulance if the patient is unconscious or does not respond, then immediately start performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).If you are not trained doing CPR, you’d better skip mouth-to-mouth breathing and resort only to chest compressions. They should be about 100 per minute. Ask the emergency line dispatcher if you are not sure how to do CPR correctly. If you don’t know CPR at all, there’s still a way to help the patient. Just start pushing fast and hard into the center of their chest and continue doing that until professional help arrives or if the person regains consciousness. This procedure, known as Hands-Only CPR, is equally safe for adults and children over 8 years of age.

Another emergency procedure in case of a heart attack is defibrillation. If you have AED (automatic external defibrillator) at hand, follow the instructions written on the device. It tells if a patient needs electroshock treatment to revive heart beatings. Note that the EAD is safe for the person who handles it because it gives electroshocks only to anyone who needs them.

Here Are the Things You Should NOT Do in Case of a Heart Attack:

• Do not leave the patient alone, except to call for help;


• Do not listen if the patient tells you that they will be all right and there is no need to seek professional help;


• Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away;


• Do not give the person any medication, unless they have some already prescribed by their doctor, such as nitroglycerine.

The video below will give you more information on how to give first aid to a person with a heart attack:

Shoulder Pain and Heart Attack: How Are They Related?

Shoulder Pain and Heart Attack: How Are They Related?

When the flow of blood to the heart is obstructed, mostly by fat build up, cholesterol, or other substances that form Plague in the arteries leading to the heart, you suffer a heart attack. The blockage in the blood flow can destruct or damage part of the heart muscle. Also, referred to as a myocardial infraction, it can cause death. However, treatment has improved drastically over the years. If you experience a heart attack, dial 911 immediately. But many heart attack symptoms are confusing. For example, lots people just brush off shoulder pain causally and thinks they are nothing to worry about. But the truth is that it may indicate heart attack.

Connections Between Shoulder Pain and Heart Attack
Discomfort from a heart attack can cause chest pain or even shoulder pain. So if you are experiencing shoulder or arm pain on the left side, you may be havinga heart attack. However, Heart attack is not the only cause of these types of pain. So it is important to be aware of different body pains that can be indications of heart attacks.

Strong Indicators of a Heart Attack	Weak Indicators of a Heart Attack
Burning, squeezing, tightness, pressure or pain sensation	Knifelike or sharp pain felt when coughing or sneezing
Gradual increase of pain over a few minutes	Pain concentrated on one point.
Pain in the diffuse area, including middle of chest	Pain occurring distinctly on one side of the body
Pain extending to back, jaw, neck, and left arm	Abrupt stubbing pain that lasts for a very short moment
Pressure or pain accompanied by other symptoms like sudden nausea, cold sweat, problems breathing	Pain lasting for days or hours without any other symptoms
Pressure or pain that is felt during emotional stress or physical exertion or when you are resting (unstable Angina)	Pain caused by pressing the chest or body movement

What Symptoms Accompanying Your Shoulder Pain Is Vital
Besides shoulder pain, heart attack may also have the following symptoms:

• Chest Pain or Discomfort: You may feel the pain or discomfort that feels like squeezing, fullness, pressure or tight ache in your chest and it will last for a while. The discomfort will come and go.


• Pain in Upper Body: The discomfort or pain might spread past your chest and to your jaw, teeth, neck, back, arms or shoulders. You might experience pain in the upper body pain without any discomfort in the chest.


• Stomach Pain: The pain can spread down to the abdomen and you might feel something like Heartburns. You might feel nauseated or even vomit.


• Shortness of Breath: You might try to take deep breaths or pant. This is mostly before you experience chest discomfort. In some cases, you might not feel the discomfort.


• Anxiety: You might feel like you are experiencing a panic attack out of the blue, or feel a sudden sense of doom come over you.


• Light-Headedness: On top of the chest pressure you might feel dizzy or you are about to faint.


• Sweating: You might suddenly start sweating yet your skin is calm and cold.

When you feel any of the heart attack symptoms, do not ignore them and hope they will fade away. Call 911 immediately.

Real Stories About Experiencing Heart Attack

"I never connect nausea, shoulder pain, heart attack together. However, one day I was cutting the grass one afternoon and walked to the house to drink water and had a sit. Then I felt nauseated and sudden pain that spread to my arm, which then curled up and could not uncurl. I had my grandson call 911 and was flown directly to a cardiac hospital after the ambulance crew said I was in full ST elevation myocardial infraction. I coded 4 times, but I recovered and was released the next day."

"I am 58 and 3 weeks ago I had a heart attack. For a month I had symptoms like pain in my jaw, shoulder, face, arm, back and a burning in my chest. All these I felt on the left side of my body. The pain would always ease up, but one night I woke up and the pain did not go away. I took aspirin and I started throwing up, i was rushed to ER where they told me I was having a heart attack. I got treated and I now am home."

"My mother complained about shoulder pain. Not much attention was paid and her joints ached as well but she thought it was flu. The day she experience chest pain was the day she passed out because of a major heart attack."

What to Do When Heart Attack Happens

• If you or someone near you experiences heart attack symptoms like shoulder pain, heart attack may be suspected and 911 should be called within the first 5 minutes. Ensure you seek treatment immediately, most people die because they doubt the symptoms could be heat attack related.


• You might be tempted to drive the patient to the emergency room yourself, but it is better if you wait for the ambulance. The crew will know how to keep the patient alive. However, if you are having a heart attack, do not drive yourself unless you do not have any other choice.


• Before the ambulance arrives, try keeping the patient calm by sitting him down or helping him lie down. Secondly, if the person is not allergic to aspirin make them chew and swallow a baby aspirin. The effects are felt faster when it is chewed than when swallowed whole. If you notice the person has stopped breathing, a person qualified to perform CPR should perform the procedure on him, or you can do it. If you have no idea how to administer a CPR, the 911 operator can guide you through it.

Can You Have a Heart Attack and Not Know?

Can You Have a Heart Attack and Not Know?

Usually when you are suffering from a heart attack, you are aware of it because you are experiencing symptoms. The main symptom, severe chest pain, is usually extremely obvious. Most people know about chest pain and heart attacks. What few know is that it doesn’t always happen the same way in every person.

Can You Have a Heart Attack and Not Know?
Yes, of course. Not everyone experiences the typical clutching of the chest with a falling to the floor like you see on television. Sometimes the symptoms you experience are completely unrelated to your chest so you don’t know that the problem is with your heart. In fact, it is a common phenomenon among diabetics to have few symptoms of a heart attack or no symptoms at all.

Research tells us that about 20-60 percent of all heart attacks occurring in those over the age of 45 are completely unrecognized and are considered "Silent Heart Attacks". The older a person gets, the greater is the chance of having some kind of silent heart attack.
Watch this video to see one woman's experience of having a silent attack and how she went through with it:

What Happens During a Silent or Mini Heart Attack?
Those who suffer from silent heart attacks usually have very non-specific symptoms or symptoms so subtle they don't notice them. They may feel they are suffering from a strained chest muscle, a strained back, a case of the flu or indigestion. The pain from a heart attack may not be in the chest at all but may instead be felt in the upper back, arms or in the jaw. Others will simply feel a long period of unexplained fatigue as their only symptom of a heart attack. These less specific symptoms can be completely ignored by the individual or may be attributed to some other condition. Can you have a heart attack and not know? Well, it can definitely happen.

How Can You Tell If You Have a Silent Heart Attack?
If you already know you are at an increased risk for a heart attack, your healthcare provider may perform an electrocardiogram or EKG on you. This is a resting test that assesses the electrical activity of the heart. You should have one each year at the time of a regular checkup. If the electrocardiogram shows evidence of Q waves on the reading, it means you have suffered from some sort of heart tissue damage and may have had an undetected heart attack.

Risk Factors of a Silent Heart Attack
You are considered high risk for a heart attack if you carry at least two risk factors for the disease. Some of these risk factors include having high Blood Pressure, a family history of Heart disease, Obesity, inactivity, a history of smoking, an elevated LDL cholesterol level, a low HDL cholesterol level, type 2 diabetes or elevated triglyceride levels. Those at the greatest risk of having a silent heart attack include women and those older than 65 years of age. People with type 2 diabetes also have a greater risk of having a silent heart attack.

Common Symptoms of a Heart Attack
Can you have a heart attack and not know? While it is certainly possible, most people have some symptoms.

How ItHappens
Like all muscles of the body, the heart needs enough blood in order to do its job. The blood for the heart is carried via the arteries to smaller arteries that service just the heart muscle. When these arteries (known as coronary arteries) become clogged with plaque and Blood Clots, the heart will not get enough oxygen and you can easily have a heart attack.

Common Symptoms


Occasionally, heart attacks will be very intense and come on suddenly like you see in the movies. In such cases, there is no question that the person is having a heart attack. Most heart attacks, however, come on gradually with minimal pain or discomfort in the beginning.

The typical signs of a heart attack include the following:

• Discomfort in the area of the chest. It usually occurs near the center part of the chest and lasts longer than just a couple of minutes or comes and goes. Some people experience it as just a discomfort, while others will feel a squeezing sensation, frank pain in the chest, or a sense of fullness in the chest.


• Other areas of discomfort. You can also experience pain that radiates to the back, one or both arms, the stomach, or the neck area.


• Difficulty breathing. Sometimes this can be the only symptom you experience when you are having a heart attack.


• Other symptoms. Some people will break out into a cold sweat or will experience lightheadedness or nausea as their only symptoms.

Women usually experience chest pain as part of their heart attack but, unlike men, often have other symptoms besides chest pain, especially symptoms of back pain, nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath or pain in the jaw.

Treatments You Need for a Heart Attack
Can you have a heart attack and not know? Since this is possible, you may not know what you need in terms of treatment. The thing is whether you have symptoms or not, you still need some treatment.

1. Tests and Surgeries
If you have been found to have had a silent heart attack, you will likely see a cardiologist and be treated in the same way as you would if you had a known heart attack. For example, the cardiologist may do a cardiac stress test in which you run on a treadmill connected to an EKG machine so they can tell if there is any stress on the heart.

If stress on the heart is seen, you may have an angiogram of the heart to see where the areas of blockage are located. You might need an angioplasty, where a catheter with a balloon at the end of it is placed in narrowed arteries and blown up to dilate the arteries. A stent can be placed to keep the artery open. Some may need to have heart bypass surgery in which the doctor bypasses the narrowed arteries using a graft.

2. Medications

• A dose of 81 mg of aspirin every day may be prescribed. Aspirin acts as an antiplatelet medication to keep you from getting another heart attack.


• Beta blockers may be indicated to lower the heart rate so the heart doesn’t have to work so hard and so the blood pressure is lowered.


• Ace Inhibitors work to dilate blood vessels so the blood pressure can be lower and the heart will not have to work as hard.


• Cholesterol-lowering medication will be tried, which often means you will take statin drugs that lower total and LDL cholesterol levels. You will also be asked to reduce the cholesterol intake in your diet.

3. Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle measures may be indicated, such as stopping smoking, exercising regularly, and losing weight.

People with diabetes should work to have a hemoglobin A1C level less than 6.5 percent but it shouldn’t be much lower than that because it would mean that sometimes your blood sugar is probably dangerously too low. If you smoke, you should quit right away and try to lose some weight. Take blood pressure medications if your blood pressure is too high and take medications for blood sugar if you can’t get it down using lifestyle measures alone.

Am I Having a Heart Attack?

Am I Having a Heart Attack?

When the flow of blood to the heart is restricted by a buildup of cholesterol, fat, or other substances, you get a heart attack. This blockage damages or even destroys part of the heart muscle, which can have life-threatening consequences. Unfortunately, people do not understand the early symptoms of a heart attack and keep asking, "Am I having a heart attack?" Research shows that most men do not recognize the early signs of a heart attack and take at least 6 hours to call 911. Experts say that this is too late and you should be calling the emergency service within 5 minutes of having heart attack symptoms.

Am I Having a Heart Attack?
If you want to know whether you are having a heart attack, you should understand some of its typical symptoms. The following signs and symptoms mean you should waste no time to seek immediate medical attention because what are you experiencing may well be a heart attack.

1. Chest discomfortis the most common sign of a heart attack.

• This pain normally occurs on the center or left side of the chest.


• Itusually lasts more than a few minutes and can not be relieved by rest, or it may justcome and go.


• This is a severe crushing pain which feels like a tight ache, fullness, pressure, or squeezing in your chest.


• The pain may stay in the chest wall but it can radiate to the neck, arm or left jaw.

2. Upper body pain: You will experience pain in your upper body, including your arms, shoulders, neck, back, jaw and teeth. This can be with or without any chest comfort.

3. Stomach pain: You may experience pain in your abdominal area and it often feels like Heartburn or indigestion.

4. Shortness of breath: It is common for people having a heart attack to experience shortness of breath. This usually happens even before you begin experiencing chest discomfort.

5. Other symptoms:You may also feel anxious, dizzy or light-headedness and nauseous. Many people even experience severe weakness and break into a sweat with cold skin.

It is important to bear in mind that a heart attack usually begins with subtle symptoms. You should not ignore them as anxiety or indigestion. Call 911 within five minutes if your symptoms continue or ask someone to drive you to the hospital. Avoid driving yourself unless there is no one else to help.

When you have a chest pain, you may don't if it is caused by a heart attack. The video below tells you the feeling of different kind of chest pain and what may to blame:

Others' Stories of Having a Heart Attack

I'm only 42 and had a heart attack on June, 8. I never think such a thing can happens to me or happen to any one of such a young age. I had to take a day off work to rest, but now Ifelt tired and could concentrate on a thing for a long time.

I woke up at 3 am and had feelings of heartburn but I didn't eatanything that could causes it. I take some antacids, but still a sharp pain radiate on my back. I felt I was going to die. All of these happened in minutes. Then my heart stopped and I ended up in ER and had to be defibrillated twice.

I still remember my heart attack vividly. It's hard to forget. After climbing some stairs, I felt hard to catch my breath. The pain I felt is a tightening chest pain on the upper chest. Then it spread to my left arm and gave me a numbing feeling. The pain got more and more intense and I sweated a lot. It was torture and an injection in hospital finally dragged me out of this misery.

What to Do When Heart Attack Happens
Now that you have your answer to your question, "Am I having a heart attack?" you may also want to know what to do when facing heart attacks. When you or someone in your family has an attack, always remember that it is a medical emergency. The quicker you seek medical attention, the higher the chances of minimizing the damage to the heart muscle. If you notice any typical symptoms of heart attack, you should take the following steps:

1. Call 911
Do it immediately and never wait more than five minutes. If you already take nitroglycerin for chest pain that shows up with exertion, you should take it immediately. Call emergency services if your chest pain persists even after taking nitroglycerin.

2. Take an Aspirin
When you call 911, the operator will instruct you to take an aspirin immediately. Aspirin helps because it reduces clotting and slow blockage around the site of a ruptured plaque. However, you should always understand that aspirin is never a cure or treatment for a heart attack. It will not make your symptoms go away, so be sure to get to the hospital as soon as possible.

3. Rest and Calm Down
Whenever you are wondering, "Am I having a heart attack?" no matter what the answer is, you should remain calm.Try not to panic, which is not easy of course, but it is important that you remain calm and relax your nerves while waiting for help to arrive. If you are alone at home, you should go to your main door, open it, and sit on the floor there. This will make it easier for the paramedics to provide you with initial treatment as soon as they reach your home.

Heart Attack – Symptoms, Signs, Causes, Treatment, Diagnosis

Heart Attack – Symptoms, Signs, Causes, Treatment, Diagnosis






When the heart muscle is deprived off oxygenated blood either partially or fully the person gets an attack. Without oxygen the heart muscle cannot survive. This can occur when plaque like fat particles get deposited in the coronary arteries of the heart muscle which gradually becomes narrow. In some cases blood clot gets separated from the plaque like substance traveling to the heart major heart muscle thus blocking the blood flow. This process is known as ischemia and if death of heart muscle occurs due to this process it is known as heart attack.

Chest pain .Vs. Heart attack :

Not all the chest pain is heart attack. Chest pain can occur due to many reasons including gastric problem, increased Blood Pressure and heightened emotions. Angina is the medical term for the slight discomfort occurring in the heart muscle which lasts only for few minutes. Chest pain due to heart attack would not stop but it progresses rapidly causing more complications like shortness of breath, profuse sweating and pain would spread in the left shoulder and your back.

Statistics :

For every 43 seconds one person in the USA gets heart attack. Around 6 million die because of heart attack and related heart diseases. Each year 7.5 million people of America get a heart attack and out of these 5.25 million gets first attack and others it is the second heart attack.

Warning Signs Of Heart Attack :

In spite of repeated attempts for creating awareness on heart attack, only 27 out of 100 people surveyed know about all major symptoms and others are not. Cardiac deaths can considerably be prevented if the people act promptly on getting warning signs. It is reported about 48% of deaths due to heart attack occur outside the hospital.

Import warning signals of heart attack are :

• Persistent chest pain or discomfort


• Pain in the neck, arms, jaw and back region


• Shortness of breath


• Profuse sweating, nausea or feeling dizzy

Who Are At High Risk Of Getting A Heart Attack? :

Anyone can get an attack irrespective of race, religion and sex. But certain medical conditions like obesity, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, physical inactivity and overuse of alcohol are prone to get a heart attack.

Difference Between Cardiac Arrest And Heart Attack :

As many people think, cardiac arrest is not the same as heart attack. Heart attack happens due to reduced/blocked blood flow to the major heart muscle. Here damage occurs to the heart muscle. Cardiac arrest occurs when there are abnormal electrical signals in the heart causing irregular rhythms in the heart (arrhythmias) leading to sudden cardiac death. Here the heart stops working all of a sudden causing death. Lower chamber of the heart (ventricles) starts producing abnormal beats not pumping enough blood to the heart. In this case, death occurs within seconds or few minutes. Immediate CPR therapy can save the life of the person restoring the normal rhythm of the heart.

Definition :

Heart attack can be defined as partial/complete death of heart muscles due to sudden blockage/reduced blood flow. Coronary arteries get blocked with blood clot thus cutting off the blood supply to the heart. Heart muscles are damaged due to reduced blood flow causing chest pain and other symptoms. In most of the cases death of heart muscle can be prevented if blood flow is restored within 30 to 40 minutes. Often blood flow is blocked due to cholesterol or fat deposits which grow bigger in size gradually forming plaque inside the arteries. In medical terms, heart attack is known as Myocardial Infarction.

Common Symptoms Of Heart Attack :

• Heart attack begins with tightness in the chest region and pain. Intensity of pain can vary from mild to severe.


• Many people have described the feeling as squeezing sensation in the chest. Slowly the pain spreads to the neck, jaw and left shoulder, arm, and back.


• Heart attack can cause physiological changes like nausea, Heartburn, sweating, shortness of breath and abdominal pain.


• Do not ignore the symptoms if you get chest pain along with sudden jaw pain or toothache.


• If a person gets a heart attack, symptoms will not subside but spreads to other parts like neck, shoulder, arm and back. Early diagnosis can save thousands of lives each day.


• Unfortunately heart attack can occur without any symptoms (asymptomatic). Delay in reaching the hospital can become fatal for many people.


• Asymptomatic attacks are common in women when compared with men. They often misunderstand the signs for fatigue or indigestion and do not seek prompt medical help.

What Should You Do If You Doubt An Attack?

• First and foremost seek emergency medical help. Find someone to drive you to hospital.


• Take aspirin before getting ready for hospital.

Heart Attack Causes :

Narrowing of coronary arteries and formation of blood clot in the major blood vessel that supplies blood to the heart is the medical cause for a heart attack. Cholesterol can build up inside the arteries thus blocking the normal blood flow partially/completely.

Some of the major causes of heart attack is discussed here.

• Atherosclerosis :

Build-up of cholesterol and fatty substances in the body gets accumulated gradually in the walls of arteries. As more and more substances gather inside the coronary artery it blocks the passage of blood flow thus narrowing the available space of the artery. This process can occur anywhere in the body like legs or hands and even on the major blood vessel of the brain causing death of brain tissue (vascular Dementia) or Stroke. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) or atherosclerosis can occur due to persistent smoking, eating high fat foods, having Hypertension or diabetes.

• Angina Pectoris :

Angina pectoris or simply angina is a strong warning signal of heart attack. When there is blockage in the normal oxygenated blood flow to the heart muscle it causes damage. Coronary arteries gets narrowed down slowly not able to supply enough blood during periods of high demand of oxygen. This in turn causes angina.

Angina can occur during exercise or at rest. Exertional angina is common in diabetic people wherein decreased blood flow may or may not cause any symptoms. Even if there is any symptoms like shortness of breath it is likely misunderstood for fatigue. Angina causes heavy pressure or squeezing pain in the chest which travels towards the neck, arms and back. Exertional angina may lasts for 15-20 minutes and the symptoms disappear when the person takes rest or takes nitroglycerin. Angina that occurs during rest is very dangerous. Coronary artery can develop spasm leading to heart attack or even cardiac arrest causing death.

Risk Factors :

• Atherosclerosis (buildup of fat molecules) can cause narrowing of coronary arteries.


• Diabetes (uncontrolled), high blood pressure, aging, high blood cholesterol, long-term use of tobacco, lack of physical activity, increasing stress and obesity are high risk factors for getting a heart attack.


• People having family history of heart attack are more prone to get an attack than others.

What Happens After A Heart Attack ?

Once the heart muscle gets damaged due to reduced blood supply amount of blood supply released from the heart gets drastically reduced. This in turn can seriously affect other organs like kidney and liver. Slowly the kidneys lose its function leading to Kidney Failure. The same thing happens with liver and other vital organs.

Ventricular Fibrillation :

Due to continued blockage in blood flow the heart muscle gets more and more damaged leading to severe injury. This in turn causes chaotic/irregular electrical activity in the heart forcing the heart to stop beating. Without heartbeat, blood supply to vital organs like brain gets disrupted leading to permanent brain damage. Majority of deaths from heart attack can occur due to ventricular fibrillation. Any victim who reaches the ER within half-an-hour has increased chance for survival since he/she will be given CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) immediately. Unless major damage has already occurred to the heart muscle the blood flow can be restored thus saving the life.

Diagnosis :

ECG (Electrocardiogram) is the ideal test to diagnose an attack. Electrical activity of the heart is recorded in the machine in the form of printed paper. After a heart attack patient reaches the emergency room the nurses/doctors will be on action by connecting a monitor to record heartbeat. ECG will be taken simultaneously measuring the blood pressure and pulse. The patient will be put on supplementary oxygen and CPR will be started to restore the normal blood flow. All these will be done within minutes for saving the life of the patient.

If the condition of the patient is stable, ER doctor will order for blood tests to check leakage of heart enzymes. Further chest X-ray will be taken to check for fluid collection in the lungs. Echocardiogram will be taken to check any damage has been done to the heart and if so to what extent. If required MRI scan of the heart would be taken.

Treatment :

• The ultimate goal of the doctor and nurses in the hospital would be to prevent further damage to the heart muscle and restoring normal blood flow to the heart.


• CPR is the primary procedure to restore the heart’s function quickly.


• It is good to take aspirin pills before reaching the hospital since it is capable of reducing blood clot.


• After the patient becomes stable, medications are given to dissolve blood clot and prevent further damage.


• Medications given to treat a heart attack include thrombolytic drugs and antiplatelet agents to prevent further clot formation. Both these drugs serve as excellent clot-busters.


• Blood thinners like heparin are given to encourage free flow of blood. Nitroglycerin and other pain relieving drugs are given to get comfort.

Surgical Procedures :

Depending on the condition of the patient, team of doctors will decide about surgery as measure of treating heart attack.

• Angioplasty is the process in which a long thin tube is sent through the artery of the leg till it reaches the coronary artery to clear the blockage. The other end of tube holds a special balloon which is inflated to clear off the blockage. Further a metal stent is kept in the artery to keep it open and to prevent further narrowing of blood vessel.


• Bypass surgery is often performed on emergency basis which involves clearing the blockage in the arteries by sewing it at a safe distance and establishing fresh connection of blood flow to the heart through another artery.

Lifestyle Changes :

• After an attack you need to be very careful in following the instructions of your doctor. You need to take healthy diet and do regular exercises. Maintaining the blood sugar levels and blood pressure at optimal range is essential.


• Go for regular checkups and control your weight and cholesterol. Take necessary steps to reach a healthy weight. Manage stress by practicing yoga/meditation.


• Quit smoking and drinking.

Prevention :

• People who are overweight and with diabetes/hypertension should go for checkups regularly to eliminate any block in the heart.


• At least once in a year, checking the blood cholesterol can be helpful in preventing heart disease.


• By taking prescribed medications you can prevent further attacks if you already had one.