Overview:
A heart attack happens when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked. Without enough oxygen-rich blood, the heart muscle begins to die. This is a medical emergency that needs fast treatment to restore blood flow and limit damage to the heart.
Heart attacks are usually caused by a buildup of fat, cholesterol, and other substances that form a plaque in the coronary arteries. If the plaque breaks open, a blood clot can form and block the flow of blood to the heart.
Symptoms:
Note: Not everyone has the same symptoms, and some heart attacks are "silent," especially in people with diabetes.
- Chest pain or pressure (may feel like squeezing or fullness)
- Pain in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea or vomiting
- Cold sweat
- Lightheadedness or sudden dizziness
- Unusual tiredness (especially in women)
- A sense of anxiety or doom
Treatments/Procedures:
Emergency and Hospital-Based Treatments
Medications:
- Aspirin to thin the blood and prevent further clots
- Thrombolytics (clot-busting drugs)
- Nitroglycerin to improve blood flow
- Beta-blockers to reduce heart strain
- ACE inhibitors or statins for long-term heart protection
Procedures:
- Cardiac catheterization to examine the heart and arteries
- Angioplasty and stent placement to open blocked arteries
- Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) to reroute blood flow around a blockage
Ongoing Care and Cardiac Rehabilitation
- Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs are medically supervised program to help you recover and strengthen your heart after a heart attack. Includes:
- Exercise training tailored to your condition
- Nutrition counseling
- Education on heart-healthy living
- Support to manage stress, quit smoking, and control blood pressure or diabetes
Long-Term Management from Cardiology
- Regular follow-up with a cardiologist
- Heart function monitoring (e.g., echocardiogram, stress tests)
- Medication management to prevent another heart attack
- Risk factor control (cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes)