According to the American Heart Association’s article entitled “ Heart Attack and Angina Statistics,” America’s leading cause of death is coronary heart disease (CHD), which can cause angina and a heart attack, also known as an acute myocardial infarction. Each year, over 1,250,000 people in the United States experience a heart attack. Unfortunately, approximately 1/3 of those will die as a result.
What are the Symptoms and Warning Signs of a Heart Attack?
Many people think of sharp chest pain when they think of a heart attack. This may be the case, but some people who are experiencing a heart attack do not feel chest pain. Others may feel discomfort in the chest region, describing the sensation as pressure, tightness or squeezing, or fullness. The chest pain or discomfort during a heart attack may be constant or may come and go. Others may have no pain at all with a heart attack.
According to the American Heart Association, some people may feel pain in other areas of the upper body during a heart attack such as the:
- Jaw
- Neck
- Right or left arm or both arms
- Back
- Stomach
The pain in the above areas might be in addition to or instead of having chest pain. Some women may be more likely to experience heart attack pain in areas other than the classical chest pain, but men may also experience heart attack pain in those other areas.
Shortness of breath, also known as dyspnea, is often seen with a heart attack. The person may say something like “It feels like an elephant is sitting on my chest” when having a heart attack. A person experiencing a heart attack may suddenly break out in a sweat, become dizzy or lightheaded, or may feel nauseated or vomit. These symptoms can progress to cardiac arrest, in which the heart stops beating and the person collapses and become unresponsive.
Tips for Surviving a Heart Attack
Some people who are experiencing a heart attack may delay immediate, potentially life-saving emergency treatment because they think they may just be having heartburn or are not absolutely sure they are having a heart attack. The symptoms may begin suddenly with intense symptoms, but a heart attack may also begin with milder symptoms that progress.
A person experiencing a heart attack may shrug off the symptoms and try to focus on something else, like shoveling snow, raking leaves, mowing the yard, or meeting a deadline. The person may reassure a loved one that he or she will be fine. He or she might decide to take a pill and lie down while the symptoms progress.
Lost time can mean lost heart muscle or even a lost life for someone who is experiencing a heart attack. If in doubt, it is safer to assume that someone with the above symptoms is having a heart attack until proven otherwise.
The American Heart Association’s recommendations on their web site accessed on January 13, 2011 include calling 9-1-1, or Emergency Medical Services (EMS). They recommend that this be done immediately or within 5 minutes of a suspected heart attack. Calling EMS has several advantages:
- Calling a doctor’s office can delay emergency help if the caller is put on hold or not triaged efficiently.
- Driving someone to the Emergency Department may be unsafe, particularly if the person loses consciousness in the vehicle or if the driver is attempting to drive quickly in congested areas.
- Trained professionals will arrive as quickly as possible at the scene once EMS is activated and can provide supportive treatment at the location, in the emergency vehicle, and the care will be continued by Emergency Department staff.
- The caller may be given additional instructions to provide support while waiting for medical professionals to arrive.
- A person who arrives at the Emergency Department via ambulance may receive treatment quicker than someone who arrives in a personal vehicle.
Public areas, such as a gym or airport, with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) should have people trained in CPR and the use of an AED if needed until emergency personnel arrive.
How to Recognize and Help Someone Who is Having a Heart Attack
Heart attack is a leading cause of death in the United States. Many people die each year due to coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction; however, the simple step of calling 911 or EMS within five minutes of the onset of symptoms may mean the difference between life and death. Seeking early emergency care might help prevent further damage to the heart and may result in a better quality of life after a heart attack.
Readers may also wish to read:
- Causes of Heartburn, Indigestion, and Acid Reflux (GERD)
- Benefits of Statins – Advantages of Medication to Lower Blood Cholesterol
- Normal and Abnormal Breathing in Seniors
- DVT and Travel: Preventive Measures for Traveler’s Thrombosis
- What is Metabolic Syndrome? A Guide for Seniors
- TIA (Mini Stroke) is Major Risk Factor for Stroke
- Does CPR Really Work?
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Katrena Wells - Katrena Wells is a RN in NC with 17 1/2 years of experience in oncology, an educator since 1995, and has taught exercise classes since ...
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