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Heart Attack
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Blood Heart Circulation

Heart Attack

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is suddenly blocked, requiring immediate medical intervention to prevent or limit permanent muscle damage.

Overview

Nearly 800,000 Americans experience a heart attack each year. When blood flow is blocked, the heart is deprived of oxygen, causing the muscle to begin to die. Quick treatment is essential to limit damage; therefore, it is critical to call 911 immediately if you suspect a heart attack, even if you are uncertain.

Symptoms

While symptoms can vary, the most common signs in both men and women include:

  • Chest discomfort: Often felt in the center or left side of the chest, this may feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain. It can mimic heartburn or indigestion and may last more than a few minutes or come and go.
  • Shortness of breath: This may occur before or during chest discomfort and can happen while resting or during physical activity. In some cases, it is the only symptom.
  • Discomfort in the upper body: Pain or discomfort may be felt in one or both arms, the back, shoulders, neck, jaw, or the upper part of the stomach.

Additional symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, lightheadedness, and breaking out in a cold sweat. Women may experience different symptoms, such as unexplained fatigue.

Causes

  • Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): The most common cause. Plaque buildup (atherosclerosis) can rupture, leading to a blood clot that blocks the artery.
  • Coronary Artery Spasm: A less common cause where a severe tightening of the artery cuts off blood flow.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Health care providers diagnose heart attacks using symptoms, blood tests, and heart health tests. Treatment may involve medications and procedures such as coronary angioplasty. Recovery often includes cardiac rehabilitation and lifestyle changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

fter calling 911, have the person sit down, rest, and try to remain calm. Loosen any tight clothing. If the person has prescribed nitroglycerin, help them take it. If they are not allergic to aspirin and have been advised by a medical professional or emergency dispatcher to do so, they can chew and swallow an adult aspirin (325 mg) or two to four baby aspirins (81 mg each), as aspirin can help prevent blood clotting. Do not let them drive themselves to the hospital.
To reduce your risk, focus on a heart-healthy lifestyle. This includes adopting a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, while limiting saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, sodium, and added sugars. Regular physical activity, aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, is crucial. Quitting smoking, managing stress, maintaining a healthy weight, and controlling conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes are also vital steps.
Heart attack chest pain often feels like a pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center or left side of the chest, and it can last more than a few minutes or come and go. It's frequently accompanied by shortness of breath, discomfort in other upper body areas (arms, back, neck, jaw), nausea, dizziness, or a cold sweat. Heartburn, while also causing chest discomfort, is typically a burning sensation that may worsen after eating or lying down and is often relieved by antacids. If you are unsure, it is always safer to call 911 immediately, as prompt medical attention is critical for a heart attack.
Upon arrival at the hospital, medical staff will quickly confirm the diagnosis using an electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood tests to check for heart muscle damage. The primary goal is to restore blood flow to the heart as quickly as possible. This often involves medications to dissolve clots (thrombolytics) or procedures like angioplasty and stenting, where a catheter is used to open the blocked artery and place a small mesh tube (stent) to keep it open. Oxygen therapy and pain relief will also be provided.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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