A heart attack is when the supply of blood to the heart is suddenly blocked. It is a medical emergency and can be fatal. Every year, about 735,000 Americans have a heart attack. Of these, about 630,000 are first attacks and about 110,000 are second attacks.
A heart attack occurs when the blood supply to the heart muscle is blocked. This can happen if the arteries that supply blood to the heart become blocked by a build-up of plaque. A heart attack can also happen if a blood clot forms in one of the coronary arteries. When this happens, it can cause the heart muscle to die.
Most people who have a heart attack experience chest pain or discomfort. This pain can feel like squeezing, fullness, or pressure. It can also occur in other areas of the upper body, such as the jaw, neck, back, or arms. Other symptoms of a heart attack include shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, and lightheadedness.
1Common Signs of a Heart Attack
Chest pain
Chest pain in a heart attack is usually caused by blocked arteries that prevent blood from flowing to your heart muscle. It is one of the most common symptoms of this condition. It can feel like a tightness, pressure, or squeezing in your chest.
Chest pain lasts for a few minutes or keep coming and going over a period of days or weeks. If you have any type of chest pain, it’s important to get it checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. It’s important to remember that not all heart attacks cause chest pain. Women, in particular, may experience other symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea, and fatigue.
