Recognize a Heart Attack

A heart attack can manifest with a variety of symptoms - not always the classic ones we see on the films. It is important to recognize if someone may be having a heart attack then act quickly.

Symptoms can include:

Chest pain - the chest can feel like it is being pressed or squeezed by a heavy object, and pain can radiate from the chest to the jaw, neck, arms and back
Shortness of breath
Feeling weak and/or lightheaded
Overwhelming feeling of anxiety

It is important to stress that not everyone experiences severe chest pain; the pain can often be mild and mistaken for indigestion. It is the combination of symptoms that is important in determining whether a person is having a heart attack, and not the severity of chest pain.

Whilst waiting for an ambulance

You should sit the casualty down and rest to avoid unnecessary strain on the heart. A half sitting position is good - do not put them to bed unless they're already there.

If they are not allergic to aspirin and have some next to you, or if there is someone with you who can fetch them for you, chew one adult aspirin tablet (300mg). However, if they are not nearby, you should stay with them, do not go hunting for aspirin.

What is a Heart Attack?

A heart attack happens when your heart muscle is starved of oxygen-rich blood. This causes damage to your heart muscle.

Why do heart attacks happen?

Most heart attacks are caused by coronary heart disease (CHD). CHD is when your coronary arteries (the arteries that supply your heart muscle with oxygen-rich blood) become narrowed by a gradual build-up of fatty material within their walls.

If a piece of this fatty material (atheroma) breaks off it may cause a blood clot (blockage) to form. If it blocks your coronary artery and cuts off the supply of oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle, this is a heart attack.

You might also hear a heart attack called acute coronary syndrome, myocardial infarction (MI) or coronary thrombosis.

What is the difference between a heart attack and a cardiac arrest?

A cardiac arrest happens when your heart stops pumping blood around your body. Although a heart attack can result in a cardiac arrest, they are two different things.

Someone who has had a cardiac arrest will be unconscious and won't be breathing normally. If you see someone having a cardiac arrest, you can increase the person's chances of survival by phoning 999 and giving them immediate CPR and using an AED.