16818 Heart Attack Myocardial Infarction

Overview

A heart attack happens when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is suddenly blocked. Without oxygen, that part of the heart can be damaged. A heart attack is a medical emergency — call your local emergency number right away if you think you or someone else is having one.

Yes, heart attacks are common worldwide. They affect millions of people every year, but with better treatments and prevention, more people than ever survive and recover.

Anyone can have a heart attack, but they are more common in older adults and in people with risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Chest discomfort — pain, pressure, heaviness, squeezing, or tightness in the center or left side of the chest. It can last more than a few minutes or go away and come back.
• Pain spreading to the arm (often the left arm), back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
• Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort.
• Cold sweat, sudden nausea, light-headedness, or feeling faint.
• Fatigue, especially in women or older adults. Some people feel unusually tired for days before a heart attack.

Causes

Main causes

• A buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) inside the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart. This is called atherosclerosis.
• A blood clot that forms on a plaque and completely blocks blood flow.
• Spasm (sudden tightening) of a coronary artery, which can also cut off blood flow.

Risk factors

• Smoking or using tobacco — including secondhand smoke.
• High blood pressure (hypertension).
• High cholesterol.
• Diabetes or prediabetes.
• Being overweight or obese.
• Not getting enough physical activity.
• Family history of early heart disease.
• Age — risk rises for men over 45 and women over 55.
• Long-term stress or anxiety.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• If you have any symptoms that could be a heart attack — chest pain, pressure, shortness of breath, or pain spreading to your arm or jaw — call your local emergency number immediately. Do not try to drive yourself to the hospital.
• If you are with someone who has these symptoms and they become unresponsive or stop breathing, start CPR if you know how and call emergency services immediately.

Book a routine appointment if:

• If you have risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease, see your healthcare provider regularly for check-ups.
• If you have new chest discomfort that only happens with activity and goes away with rest, make an appointment as soon as possible — this could be a warning sign of a heart problem.
• If you have had a heart attack before, keep all follow-up appointments with your doctor and cardiac rehab team.

Diagnosis

Doctors diagnose a heart attack by listening to your symptoms, doing a physical examination, and running tests. In the emergency department, you will be checked quickly — heart attack treatment works best when started early. The diagnosis may not be final until all test results are back.

Tests that may be done

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) — measures the heart's electrical activity and can show damage from a heart attack.
• Blood tests — measure cardiac enzymes like troponin, which leak into the blood when heart muscle is damaged.
• Chest X-ray — checks the size and shape of the heart and lungs.
• Coronary angiography — a special X-ray that uses dye to see if coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked.
• Echocardiogram — an ultrasound that shows how well the heart is pumping and if any muscle is damaged.

What to expect at your appointment

If you go to the emergency department with possible heart attack symptoms, you will be connected to a heart monitor and have an ECG within minutes. Blood tests are repeated over a few hours. If the diagnosis is confirmed, you will be treated immediately — this may include medicines and possibly a procedure to open the blocked artery. You will likely be admitted to the hospital for monitoring and recovery.

Treatment

Treatment for a heart attack aims to restore blood flow to the heart muscle as quickly as possible and prevent further damage. It starts right in the emergency department and continues over the following weeks and months. The specific treatment depends on how severe the blockage is and how soon after symptoms you seek help.

Self-care at home

• Take all prescribed medicines exactly as directed — do not stop them without talking to your doctor.
• Attend cardiac rehabilitation sessions — they are designed to help you recover safely.
• Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke.
• Manage stress through relaxation, talking to someone, or mindfulness.
• Get enough rest and gradually increase your activity as your doctor advises.

Medical treatments

Doctors may use medicines to dissolve blood clots, thin the blood, reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol, or help the heart work more easily. Some medicines are given through an IV in the emergency department, while others are taken by mouth long-term. You may also be given oxygen if your levels are low. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain what each medicine is for and what side effects to watch for.

When is surgery considered?

If tests show that an artery is severely blocked, you may need a procedure to open it. Angioplasty is a treatment where doctors insert a small balloon and a stent (a tiny mesh tube) into the blocked artery to keep it open. In some cases, coronary artery bypass surgery may be needed to create a new route for blood to reach the heart.

Living with this condition

Recovery after a heart attack takes time. You may feel tired, weak, or emotional — this is normal. In the first few weeks, avoid heavy lifting and do only light activities. Your healthcare team will give you a plan for gradually increasing your activity, and you will have regular follow-up visits. Many people feel strong again within a few months.

Lifestyle tips

• Quit smoking — this is the single most important step you can take for your heart.
• Limit alcohol to the amount your doctor recommends (or none at all).
• Take all medicines as prescribed, even when you feel well.
• Manage blood pressure and blood sugar with regular checks and a healthy lifestyle.
• Prioritize sleep — aim for 7 to 9 hours each night.
• Learn to manage stress — try deep breathing, a hobby, or talking to a counselor.

Diet and exercise

Eat a heart-healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins (like poultry, fish, and beans), and healthy fats (like olive oil and nuts). Limit salt, sugar, and highly processed foods. For exercise, follow your cardiac rehab team's advice. Start with short walks and gradually increase your time and distance. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week once your doctor says it is safe.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

It is very common to feel anxious, depressed, or worried after a heart attack. These feelings can affect your recovery and your relationships. Talk to your doctor about how you are feeling — treatment like counseling or support groups can make a real difference. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Prevention

Yes, many heart attacks can be prevented, even if you have risk factors or a family history. The most effective way is to address modifiable risks: quit smoking, control blood pressure and cholesterol, manage diabetes, eat a healthy diet, stay physically active, maintain a healthy weight, and manage stress.

Vaccines

While no vaccine prevents heart attacks directly, staying up to date with recommended vaccines — such as the flu shot — may lower your risk of heart complications, as infections can stress the heart. Talk to your healthcare provider about what vaccines are right for you.

Screening programmes

Screening is key to prevention. Regular check-ups to measure blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar can catch problems early. Your healthcare provider can tell you how often you need these tests based on your age and risk factors.

Complications

If left untreated

• A heart attack that is not treated can cause lasting damage to the heart muscle, leading to heart failure — when the heart can't pump blood as well as it should.
• It can trigger abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), including life-threatening ones like ventricular fibrillation.
• It can cause cardiac arrest — when the heart suddenly stops beating — which is fatal without immediate emergency care.
• It can also lead to a tear in the heart muscle or blood clots that cause strokes.

Long-term outlook

Today, more people than ever survive a heart attack and go on to live full, active lives. Your outlook depends on how quickly you received treatment, how much heart muscle was damaged, and how well you manage your recovery. With proper medical care, cardiac rehab, and healthy lifestyle changes, most people return to their normal activities and feel well again. Recovery takes time — be patient and kind to yourself.

Find support

External links open third-party websites. Ruqelo Health is not responsible for external content. Listing an organisation does not imply endorsement.