Heart Attack

 

A heart attack (myocardial infarction or MI) is a serious medical emergency in which the supply of blood to the heart is suddenly blocked, usually by a blood clot. A lack of blood to the heart may seriously damage the heart muscle and can be life threatening.

Two hands cupped together holding a small red haert shape with a white cardiogram line trace printed on it.

Symptoms of a heart attack can include:

  • chest pain – a feeling of pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across your chest
  • pain in other parts of the body – it can feel as if the pain is spreading from your chest to your arms (usually the left arm, but it can affect both arms), jaw, neck, back and tummy
  • feeling lightheaded or dizzy
  • sweating
  • shortness of breath
  • feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
  • an overwhelming feeling of anxiety (similar to a panic attack)
  • coughing or wheezing

The chest pain is often severe, but some people may only experience minor pain, similar to indigestion.

While the most common symptom in both men and women is chest pain, women are more likely to have other symptoms such as shortness of breath, feeling or being sick and back or jaw pain.

Call 999 immediately if you think someone might be having an attack. The faster you act, the better their chances.

Graphic showing the differences between a Heart Attack and Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac Arrest

A heart attack, without rapid treatment can lead to cardiac arrest. A cardiac arrest is a breakdown of the heart’s electrical system causing the heart to stop pumping blood and the person to collapse and lose consciousness. Without immediate resuscitation, whether manual CPR or by using a defibrillator, a cardiac arrest is fatal.

With the heart not pumping the patient will not be breathing but in 40% of cases an infrequent gasp for air may be heard. This is called “agonal breathing” and is an involuntary response by the body which should not be mistaken for normal breathing

Learn how to do Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

You can learn how to do CPR in just a few minutes online with the British Heart Foundation or why not look for a free local class?

Recovering from a Heart Attack

Neuro-Physiotherapist JD Hylton explains his experience of working with cardiac patients and gives advice and encouragement to help you regain your fitness after suffering a heart attack.

Meet Neuro-Physiotherapist JD Hylton

Rosemary asks JD about his fascinating career-path to becoming a Neuro-Physiotherapist and a Personal Trainer at a specialist rehabilitation gym called Bridge4.