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"How long will I survive? Will my heart
get better? Low cholesterol diet, what does that mean? Can you have
sex again? Who’s going to give me this information?"
Tony, aged 45
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Heart Attack
What is a heart attack?
Most heart attacks are caused by coronary heart disease which is
when your coronary arteries narrow due to a gradual build-up of
atheroma (fatty material) within their walls.
If the atheroma becomes unstable, a piece may
break off and lead to a blood clot forming.
This clot can block the coronary
artery, starving your heart of blood and oxygen, causing
damage to your heart muscle - this is a heart
attack. It is also called acute coronary
syndrome, myocardial infarction or
coronary thrombosis.
A heart attack is a medical
emergency. If you think you or anyone else is having
a heart attack, you should call 999
immediately.
What is the difference between a heart attack and cardiac
arrest?
Cardiac arrest is
different from a heart attack - this happens when your
heart stops pumping blood around the body. As a
result you will be unconscious and won’t be breathing or breathing
normally.
However, one of the causes of cardiac arrest is a heart attack.
Other causes include electrocution or choking.
What are the symptoms of a heart attack?
The symptoms of a heart attack vary from one
person to another. They can range from a severe pain in the centre
of the chest, to having mild chest discomfort that makes you feel
generally unwell.
The common symptoms of a heart attack
include:
- central chest pain.
- pain which may spread to the arms, neck or jaw.
- feeling sick or sweaty as well as having central chest
pain.
- feeling short of breath as well as having central chest
pain.
The less common symptoms of a
heart attack include:
- a dull pain, ache or 'heavy' feeling in your chest.
- a mild discomfort in the chest that makes you feel generally
unwell.
- the pain or discomfort may spread to your back or stomach.
- the pain or discomfort may feel like a bad episode of
indigestion.
- feeling a bit light-headed or dizzy as well as having chest
pain.
How is a heart attack diagnosed?
Call 999 immediately if you think you are
having a heart attack or if you suspect someone is having a heart
attack.
The ambulance and hospital staff will:
- assess your symptoms and medical history.
- examine you and monitor your heart rate and blood
pressure.
- do an electrocardiogram
(ECG).
- do blood tests to help check for any damage to the heart
muscle.
While you are in hospital, other tests may be carried out as
well to assess your heart and decide the best treatment for you.
What treatment will I receive?
You will be given pain relief, aspirin, and sometimes oxygen.
You will also be prescribed other other medicine which you will need to take
after you get sent home.
Other treatment you are likely to have depends
on the results of your tests and your condition. The most common
types of treatment that are given to people with a heart attack
are:
-
Thrombolysis - also called a clot buster. This
involves injecting a medicine to dissolve the blood clot and
restore your blood supply to your heart.
-
Coronary angioplasty - a treatment to widen your
artery and help to restore or improve your blood supply to your
heart muscle.
Some people may also be advised that they need
a heart bypass
operation.
What about my recovery?
A heart attack can be a frightening experience
and it can take time to come to terms with what has happened.
It's natural to be worried about your recovery and future. Many
people make a full recovery and within a few
months are able to return to their normal activities.
Some people may find that they are not able to do as much as
they previously did, but attending a cardiac rehabilitation course
will increase your chances of getting back to
normal as quickly as possible.
Can I prevent another heart attack?
You can dramatically reduce the risk of another
heart attack and future heart problems by keeping your
heart healthy and taking your medicines.
Where can I find more information?
You may find the below helpful:
Have you lost someone because of a heart attack?
If you're dealing with the loss of a loved one from a heart
attack, you may find our bereavement resources helpful.
You can also talk to
our bereavement counsellor by calling the
Heart HelpLine on 0300 330
3311. The helpline is open 9am to
5pm, Monday to
Friday (calls charged at a local rate).
Got any questions about this page?
