Heart Attack Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Recovery Steps

A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, occurs when part of the heart muscle does not receive enough blood. The longer blood flow is blocked, the greater the damage to the heart muscle.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of heart attack. A less common cause is a severe spasm, or sudden contraction, of a coronary artery that stops blood flow to the heart muscle.

Symptoms

Major symptoms of a heart attack include:

• Chest pain or discomfort, typically in the center or left side of the chest, lasting more than a few minutes or going away and returning. The discomfort may feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain.
• Feeling weak, light-headed, or faint, and possibly breaking into a cold sweat.
• Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back.
• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms or shoulders.
• Shortness of breath, which can occur with or before chest discomfort.

Other symptoms may include unusual or unexplained tiredness, nausea, or vomiting. Women are more likely to experience these additional symptoms.

Anyone experiencing symptoms of a heart attack should call 9-1-1 immediately. Prompt treatment reduces damage to the heart muscle. At the hospital, health care professionals can perform tests to determine whether a heart attack is occurring and provide appropriate treatment.

In some cases, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or defibrillation may be required to restore a normal heart rhythm. Bystanders trained in CPR or the use of a defibrillator may provide assistance until emergency medical personnel arrive. Survival rates improve when emergency treatment begins quickly.

Risk Factors

Several health conditions, lifestyle choices, age, and family history can increase the risk of heart disease and heart attack. About half of all Americans have at least one of three key risk factors: high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, or smoking.

Some risk factors, such as age and family history, cannot be controlled. Others, including blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and smoking, can be managed to lower risk.

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a heart attack.

Recovery After a Heart Attack

A heart attack can damage the heart, affecting its rhythm and ability to pump blood. It may also increase the risk of another heart attack, stroke, kidney disorders, or peripheral arterial disease.

Recovery steps include:

• Physical activity: Patients should consult their health care team about daily activities, work, travel, and sexual activity following a heart attack.
• Lifestyle changes: A healthier diet, increased physical activity, quitting smoking, managing stress, and taking prescribed medications can improve heart health and quality of life.
• Cardiac rehabilitation: A supervised program that includes physical activity, education about healthy living, medication management, smoking cessation support, and counseling to reduce stress and improve mental health. Care teams may include health care providers, exercise and nutrition specialists, physical therapists, and mental health professionals.

Additional information is available from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.