what are the signs and symptoms of a heart attack?

there are many things that can put you at risk of a heart attack, including stress, high blood pressure and a family history.

by dave yasvinski

jul 22 2022

5 minute read

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a heart attack , also known as a myocardial infarction, occurs when the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart is blocked or obstructed. if this blockage, typically caused by the accumulation of fatty, cholesterol-filled deposits called plaques, is not corrected, sections of the heart begin to die. the damage from a heart attack infarction can be mild or severe, according to the heart and stroke foundation of canada , and cause lifelong problems or even death, depending on how long the flow of blood is impeded.

the majority of heart attacks are the result of coronary artery disease, a condition that occurs when one or more of the main channels supplying blood to the heart become blocked or narrowed by plaque buildup. apart from obstructing the flow of oxygen-rich blood, these plaques can cause blood clots if they burst open. if you think you are suffering from a heart attack, you should seek medical help immediately.

what are the symptoms of a heart attack?

signs of a heart attack vary from person to person, with some patients experiencing mild or no symptoms and others having a severe reaction. some heart attacks occur suddenly with little to no warning, while others develop slowly over a period of weeks. among men and women, chest pain or discomfort is the most obvious sign of an attack. other symptoms, according to the canadian red cross , include:

difficulty breathing
back or abdominal pain (more pronounced in women)
nausea or vomiting
jaw pain
cold, clammy skin
fatigue
lightheadedness
shortness of breath

women, older adults and people with diabetes often experience ‘soft’ symptoms of a heart attack that include mild chest discomfort that doesn’t feel like pain but may grow stronger over time, improving with rest and worsening with activity. other soft symptoms, which men can also experience, include gastric discomfort and flu-like symptoms.

how is a heart attack diagnosed?

according to the mayo clinic , heart attacks are typically diagnosed in an emergency setting but, ideally, patients are screened for any elevated risks during routine checkups. diagnosing a heart attack after it has occurred involves a series of tests, including:

electrocardiogram (ecg). the first test used, ecgs record electrical signals as they pass through the heart and can reveal if a heart attack has occurred or is occurring.

blood tests . these tests can detect a protein that enters the bloodstream following an attack.

chest x-rays. an x-ray of the chest can reveal the condition of the heart and lungs.

echocardiogram. the use of soundwaves to check the movement of blood through the heart and evaluate any damage

angiogram. a long, thin tube with a camera is inserted through an artery to the heart to inspect any issues or damage

mri or cardiac ct. these tests create images of the heart and can detect any current or impending issues

what to do if you think you are having a heart attack

if you think you are having a heart attack, the first step is to call 9-1-1. the next steps, according to the canadian red cross is to sit, rest, and try to remain calm; chew and swallow an aspirin, which can help to slow the buildup of clots which are what block arteries and cause a heart attack. how you take the aspirin is important: studies have shown that chewing aspirin works the fastest — in five minutes — whereas it takes 12 minutes for a swallowed aspirin to take effect. if you don’t have aspirin nearby, don’t get up to look for it as it can cause more strain on your heart. have someone else get it for you — and if you are alone, just stay still; and loosen tight clothing. if you are caring for someone who you think is having a heart attack, begin cpr if they aren’t breathing.

how is a heart attack treated?

time is of the essence following a heart attack, with each passing moment depriving the heart of urgently needed oxygen and further damaging the heart muscle. oxygen is administered to patients immediately and subsequent treatment — usually a combination of medication and surgery — soon follows. some medications that might be prescribed include aspirin (to reduce clotting); clot busters or blood thinners; nitroglycerin (to widen blood vessels); morphine (for pain); beta blockers (to slow the heart, decrease blood pressure and prevent another attack); ace inhibitors (to reduce stress on the heart); and statins (to lower bad cholesterol).

the two main surgical procedures used to open blocked arteries following a heart attack are coronary bypass and stenting (which uses a thin tube called a catheter to open arteries and a stent to keep them open) and coronary artery bypass surgery (which relocates a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body to make a new path for blood to reach the heart).

how to prevent a heart attack

it’s possible to lower the risk of a heart attack and improve heart health by leading a healthy lifestyle. risk factors are extensive and include: age, hypertension, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, family history, lack of exercise, illegal drug use, unhealthy eating and stress.

reducing your level of risk involves taking serious steps, such as quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake, being more active, eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, getting regular checkups and managing blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and stress. while some of these may seem like daunting goals, they can be achieved with time and your heart will thank you for the effort.

prevalence of a heart attack

ninety per cent of canadians have at least one risk factor for a heart condition, stroke or vascular impairment and one person in the country dies every five minutes from one of these causes. according to the most recent data from statistics canada, around 63,200 canadians (2.3 per 1,000) suffered their first heart attack in 2012 and 2013. roughly 2.4 million canadian adults over the age of 20 have been diagnosed with heart disease , the leading cause of a heart attack.

find more information about heart attacks and heart health

the heart and stroke foundation offer information about heart health, heart disease and heart attacks as well as ways to find social and peer support (both provincial and national). to find out how to learn more about how to respond in the event of a health emergency, visit the canadian red cross for tips and advice on how to save a life and to learn more about first aid and and how to administer cpr.

dave yasvinski is a toronto-based writer.

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dave yasvinski

what are the signs and symptoms of a heart attack?