How to spot and treat a heart attack

A heart attack happens when there is a loss of blood supply to part of the heart muscle. It often results from a blockage in a nearby artery. A person who is experiencing a heart attack — or myocardial infarction — will feel pain in their chest and other parts of their body, as well as other symptoms.

Complications Some people experience complications after a heart attack. Depending on how severe the event was, these may include: Depression: This is common after a heart attack, and engaging with loved ones and support groups can help. Arrhythmia: The heart beats irregularly, either too fast or too slowly. Edema: Fluid accumulates and causes swelling in the ankles and legs. Aneurysm: Scar tissue builds up on the damaged heart wall, which causes thinning and stretching of the heart muscle, eventually forming a sac. This can also lead to blood clots. Angina: Insufficient oxygen reaches the heart, causing chest pain. Heart failure: The heart can no longer pump effectively, leading to fatigue, difficulty breathing, and edema. Myocardial rupture: This is a tear in a part of the heart, due to damage caused by a heart attack. Ongoing treatment and monitoring can help reduce the risk of these complications. Prevention There are various ways to lower the risk of a heart attack. The American Heart AssociatonTrusted Source advise people to make heart health a priority. Ways to do this includeTrusted Source: avoiding or quitting smoking having a balanced, healthful diet getting regular exercise managing diabetes, high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and other conditions limiting alcohol intake maintaining a healthy body weight whenever possible, avoiding stress or practicing ways to reduce it Knowing the symptoms of a heart attack can help a person get prompt treatment, and this increases the chances of a positive outcome. Here, find some tips for quitting smoking. Spotting the early signs of a heart attack and getting prompt treatment is crucial and can save a person’s life. A heart attack is differentTrusted Source from cardiac arrest, in which the heart stops working completely. Both are medical emergencies, and without treatment, a heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest. This article looks at how heart attacks happen and how to treat and prevent them. Symptoms of a heart attack As heart attacks can be fatal, it is crucial to recognize the warnings as soon as possible and contact emergency services. Symptoms include: a feeling of pressure, tightness, pain, squeezing, or aching in the chest pain that spreads to the arms, neck, jaw, or back a feeling of crushing or heaviness in the chest a feeling similar to heartburn or indigestion nausea and sometimes vomiting feeling clammy and sweaty shortness of breath feeling lightheaded or dizzy in some cases, anxiety that can feel similar to a panic attack coughing or wheezing, if fluid builds up in the lungs The symptoms can vary in their order and duration — they may last several days or come and go suddenly. The following may also develop: Hypoxemia: This involves low levels of oxygen in the blood. Pulmonary edema: This involves fluid accumulating in and around the lungs. Cardiogenic shock: This involves blood pressure dropping suddenly because the heart cannot supply enough blood for the rest of the body to work adequately. Females and males sometimes experience heart attacks differently. Complications Some people experience complications after a heart attack. Depending on how severe the event was, these may include: Depression: This is common after a heart attack, and engaging with loved ones and support groups can help. Arrhythmia: The heart beats irregularly, either too fast or too slowly. Edema: Fluid accumulates and causes swelling in the ankles and legs. Aneurysm: Scar tissue builds up on the damaged heart wall, which causes thinning and stretching of the heart muscle, eventually forming a sac. This can also lead to blood clots. Angina: Insufficient oxygen reaches the heart, causing chest pain. Heart failure: The heart can no longer pump effectively, leading to fatigue, difficulty breathing, and edema. Myocardial rupture: This is a tear in a part of the heart, due to damage caused by a heart attack. Ongoing treatment and monitoring can help reduce the risk of these complications.