Overview
A heart attack, also called a myocardial infarction, happens when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is suddenly blocked. Without enough oxygen, heart tissue can be damaged within minutes. A fast response is critical because earlier medical care can improve the chance of survival and reduce lasting harm.
Key Symptoms
Common symptoms include pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center or left side of the chest that may last several minutes or come and go. Other warning signs include shortness of breath, cold sweat, nausea, lightheadedness, and pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or upper stomach. Symptoms are not always dramatic, and some people may feel unusual fatigue or mild discomfort rather than severe chest pain.
Causes and Risk Factors
Most heart attacks are caused by a sudden blockage in a coronary artery, usually related to buildup of fatty plaque and a blood clot. Risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, older age, and a family history of heart disease. Stress, poor sleep, and some stimulant drugs can also raise risk in some people.
Who Is Affected
Heart attacks can happen to adults of any sex, though risk increases with age and certain health conditions. People with diabetes, prior heart disease, kidney disease, or a history of stroke may be at higher risk. Warning signs may look different across people, so unusual symptoms should still be taken seriously.
Prevention
Prevention focuses on lowering cardiovascular risk over time. This may include not smoking, being physically active, managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, keeping a healthy weight, and getting regular medical care. Following treatment plans for known heart disease or risk factors can also help reduce the chance of a heart attack.
Treatment Categories
Emergency treatment may include monitoring, oxygen in some situations, medicines, and procedures to restore blood flow to the heart. Hospital teams may use tests and imaging to confirm the diagnosis and decide on urgent treatment. After the emergency, ongoing care often includes cardiac rehabilitation, follow-up visits, and treatment of risk factors.
When to Seek Medical Care
Seek urgent medical care right away if you have new chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or other possible heart attack symptoms that last more than a few minutes or return after going away. Do not wait to see if symptoms pass. If you are with someone who may be having a heart attack, stay with them and get emergency help immediately.
When It May Be an Emergency
A possible heart attack is always an emergency. Call your local emergency number immediately if there is chest pressure or pain, trouble breathing, fainting, severe weakness, or pain spreading to the arm, jaw, or back. Use an automated external defibrillator (AED) and start CPR if the person collapses, is unresponsive, and is not breathing normally, if you are trained or guided by emergency dispatch.