Heart Attack

A heart attack happens when the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart is cut off. If not treated right away, a heart attack can cause lasting damage to the heart. A heart attack is also called a myocardial infarction.

If you think you're having a heart attack, don't wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get medical help right away.

What are the causes?

• A fatty substance called plaque. This can build up in blood vessels called arteries. It can block the flow of blood to the heart.
• A blood clot in the blood vessels that go to the heart.
• An abnormal heartbeat.
• Some diseases that lower the amount of oxygen in the blood. These include anemia and emphysema.
• Tightening of a blood vessel that cuts off blood to the heart. This is called a spasm.

• Using drugs such as cocaine or methamphetamine.
• A tear in a blood vessel of the heart.

What increases the risk?

• Aging. The risk gets higher as you get older.
• Having a family history of or any past problems with:
  • Chest pain.
  • Heart attack or stroke.
  • Peripheral vascular disease. This is when the blood vessels in the legs, arms, or stomach get narrow.
• Taking chemotherapy or medicines to treat cancer.
• Being male.
• Being overweight or obese.
• Having any of these conditions:
  • High blood pressure.
  • High cholesterol.
  • Diabetes.
• Doing any of these things:
  • Drinking too much alcohol.
  • Smoking.
  • Not getting enough exercise.

What are the signs or symptoms?

• Chest pain. It may feel like:
  • Crushing or squeezing.
  • Tightness, pressure, fullness, or heaviness.
• Pain in the arm, neck, jaw, back, or upper body.
• Heartburn or upset stomach.
• Shortness of breath.
• Feeling like you may vomit.
• Cold sweats.
• Feeling light-headed or dizzy all of a sudden. Or you may pass out.

How is this diagnosed?

• Imaging tests, such as:
  • Electrocardiogram, or ECG. This records the electrical activity of your heart.
  • CT scan.
  • Coronary angiogram. For this test, dye is put into the body and X-rays are taken of the heart arteries.
  • Echocardiogram. This test uses sound waves to make pictures of the heart.
• Blood tests. These are done to check for chemicals that are released by a damaged heart.

How is this treated?

• Medicines to:
  • Break up or dissolve blood clots.
  • Help prevent blood clots.
  • Treat blood pressure.
  • Improve blood flow to the heart.
  • Help with pain.
• Angioplasty and stent placement. These are procedures to widen a blocked artery and keep it open.
• Open heart surgery, called coronary artery bypass grafting. This enables blood to flow to the heart by going around the blocked part of the artery.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take your medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Do not take these medicines unless your provider says it's okay:
  • NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
  • Any vitamins or supplements.
  • Hormone replacement therapy.
• If you're taking blood thinners:
  • Talk with your provider before taking aspirin or NSAIDs.
  • Take your medicines as told. Take them at the same time each day.
  • Do not do things that could hurt or bruise you. Be careful to avoid falls.
  • Wear an alert bracelet or carry a card that says you take blood thinners.

Lifestyle

• Do not smoke, vape, or use products with nicotine or tobacco in them. If you need help quitting, talk with your provider.
• Avoid secondhand smoke.
• Exercise often. Ask your provider about a cardiac rehab program. This program helps you to:
  • Exercise safely.
  • Learn ways to improve heart health and well-being as you recover.
• Eat foods that are healthy for your heart. Your provider will tell you what foods to eat.
• Stay at a healthy weight.
• Learn ways to lower your stress level.
• Do not use illegal drugs.

Alcohol use

• Do not drink alcohol if:
  • Your provider tells you not to drink.
  • You're pregnant, may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant.
• If you drink alcohol:
  • Limit how much you have to:
    • 0–1 drink a day if you're female.
    • 0–2 drinks a day if you're male.
  • Know how much alcohol is in your drink. In the U.S., one drink is one 12 oz bottle of beer (355 mL), one 5 oz glass of wine (148 mL), or one 1½ oz glass of hard liquor (44 mL).

General instructions

• Work with your provider to treat other problems you have, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
• Get screened for depression. Get treatment if needed.
• Keep your vaccines up to date. Get the flu shot every year.
• Keep all follow-up visits. Your provider will check that your heart health is improving with treatments.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You feel very sad.
• You have trouble doing your daily activities.
• You get light-headed or dizzy.
• You have blood pressure that is higher or lower than what your provider told you it should be.

Get help right away if:

• You have sudden, unexplained discomfort in your chest, arms, back, neck, jaw, or upper body.
• You have sudden shortness of breath.
• You have sudden sweating or your skin is cold to the touch.
• You feel like you may vomit or you vomit.
• You feel your heart beating fast or skipping beats.

• Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away.
• Do not drive yourself to the hospital.