Heart attack
Overview
A heart attack (myocardial infarction or MI) is a serious medical emergency in which the supply of blood to the heart is suddenly blocked, usually by a blood clot.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a heart attack can include: chest pain – a feeling of pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across your chestpain in other parts of the body – it can feel as if the pain is spreading from your chest to your arms (usually the left arm, but it can affect both arms), jaw, neck, back and tummyfeeling lightheaded or dizzysweatingshortness of breathfeeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)an overwhelming feeling of anxiety (similar to a panic attack)coughing or wheezing The chest pain is often severe, but some people may only experience minor pain, similar to indigestion. While the most common symptom is chest pain, symptoms can vary from person to person. Some people may have other symptoms such as shortness of breath, feeling or being sick and back or jaw pain without any chest pain. Call 999 immediately if you think someone might be having a heart attack. The faster you act, the better their chances.
Causes
Coronary heart disease (CHD)is the leading cause of heart attacks. CHD is a condition in which the major blood vessels (coronary arteries) that supply the heart muscle become clogged by a build-up of deposits of fatty substances, known as plaques. Before a heart attack, 1 of the plaques bursts (ruptures), causing ablood clotto develop at the site of the rupture. The clot may block the supply of blood to the heart, triggering a heart attack.
Treatment
Emergency: Call 999. Chew aspirin (300mg). Hospital: Angioplasty (stent); clot-busting drugs; bypass surgery. Medication (statins, beta-blockers).
Prevention
There are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of having a heart attack (or having another heart attack): smokers shouldquit smokinglose weightif you're overweight or obesedo regular exercise – adults should do at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobicexerciseeach week, unless advised otherwise by the doctor in charge of your careeat a low-fat, high-fibre diet, including wholegrains and at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a daymoderate your alcohol consumption
When to see a doctor
CALL 999 IMMEDIATELY for suspected heart attack.