To remain healthy, the heart requires a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients, like any muscle in the body. Two large coronary arteries deliver oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. If one of these arteries becomes blocked suddenly, a portion of the heart is starved of oxygen. If the heart is deprived of oxygen too long, heart tissue will die. This condition is a heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction.
Diagnosis
A heart attack is often diagnosed by the presence of symptoms. It is critical that you are able to recognize symptoms of a heart attack so that you or someone with you can call 911 immediately. The quicker emergency medical help is available, the less heart tissue will die and the better the chances of survival.
Heart attack symptoms: when to call
Call 911 immediately if you think that you or a loved one is having a heart attack. Tell the emergency team you’re having a heart attack. Do not drive to the hospital.
Symptoms of heart attack vary somewhat for men and women.
Women
- Sudden onset of severe fatigue, like the flu, often with vague chest discomfort
- Discomfort, fullness, tightness, squeezing or pressure in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes or comes and goes
- Pressure or pain that spreads to the upper back, shoulders, neck, jaw or arms
- Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing
- Dizziness or nausea
- Clammy sweats, heart flutters or paleness
- Unexplained feelings of anxiety, fatigue or weakness, especially with exertion
- Severe stomach or abdominal pain
Men
- Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing, pain or discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes
- Pain or discomfort that spreads to the shoulders, neck or arms
- Pain, dizziness, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath
- Any chest discomfort that causes anxiety or concern
- Any of the above symptoms that disappear with rest, then return with exertion
- Pain that lasts for 10 to 15 minutes while you are resting should be evaluated immediately.
What puts you at risk for a heart attack?
Things that increase your risk for a heart attack include:
- High cholesterol.
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Smoking.
- A family history of early coronary artery disease. This means you have a male family member who was diagnosed before age 55. Or you have a female family member who was diagnosed before age 65.
Your age, sex, and race can also raise your risk. For example, your risk increases as you get older.
In women, using hormone therapy and having pregnancy-related problems can raise a woman's risk for a heart attack or stroke.
Most nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may increase the risk of heart attack. This risk is greater if you take NSAIDs at higher doses or for long periods of time.
The use of certain illegal drugs, such as cocaine, also increases the risk of a heart attack.
How is a heart attack treated?
Treatment may start right away if you call 911 when you think you're having a heart attack. You may be told to chew aspirin while you wait for the ambulance. This can help prevent blood clots from getting bigger.
Ambulance and emergency room
Treatment begins in the ambulance and emergency room with aspirin and other medicines. You may get oxygen if you need it. You may get morphine if you need pain relief.
The goal of your health care team will be to prevent lasting heart muscle damage by restoring blood flow to your heart as quickly as possible.
You may receive medicines to stop blood clots. They are given to prevent blood clots from getting bigger so blood can flow to the heart. Some medicines will break up blood clots to increase blood flow. You might be given other medicines as well.
Other treatment includes:
- Nitroglycerin. It opens up the arteries of the heart to help blood flow back to the heart.
- Beta-blockers. These drugs lower the heart rate, the blood pressure, and the workload of the heart.
You may need angioplasty or bypass surgery to get blood flowing to the heart right away.
Other treatment in the hospital
Your doctors and nurses will watch you closely. They will check your heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, and medicines to make sure you don't have serious complications.
Your doctors will start you on medicines that lower your risk of having another heart attack. Or you may get medicines that lower your risk of having complications and that help you live longer. They include medicine to:
- Lower blood pressure.
- Lower cholesterol.
- Lower the heart's workload.
- Prevent blood clots from forming and causing a heart attack.
Cardiac rehabilitation (rehab) might be started in the hospital or soon after you go home. It can help you be more active and make lifestyle changes that can lead to a stronger heart and better health. Cardiac rehab can help you feel better and reduce your risk for future heart problems. If cardiac rehab has not already been offered to you, ask your doctor if it's right for you.
Lifestyle changes
Heart healthy lifestyle changes are part of treatment for anyone who has had a heart attack. Even though you take medicine, lifestyle changes can also keep your heart and your body healthy.
A heart healthy lifestyle includes:
- Not smoking.
- Eating heart-healthy foods.
- Being active.
- Staying at a healthy weight.
- Managing other health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Cardiac rehab is a referral-based exercise program that offers a plan for recovery.
Hypertension Clinic
The Hypertension Clinic at Parkview Heart Institute can help you prevent a cardiac event.