Heart attack: Knowing the warning signs

Submitted by Emma Hamilton on Fri, 11/06/2010 - 12:32pm

Every year thousands of Australians suffer from heart attack. A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle is blocked.

A heart attack can happen very quickly. Knowing the warning signs of heart attack and seeking medical care as soon as possible is crucial to avoiding extensive damage to the heart or sudden death.

What causes heart attack?

Our arteries supply blood and oxygen to the heart. Over time our arteries can become damaged by a build up of fat, cholesterol and plaque.

If a clot forms in a damaged artery it can block the blood flowing to the heart. Deprived of blood and oxygen the heart muscle begins to die.

A heart attack is a medical emergency. Without urgent medical treatment a heart attack or Myocardial Infarction (MI) can cause serious disability or sudden death.

What are the signs of heart attack?

Most people are familiar with the most common sign of heart attack, mainly a crushing chest pain. However, signs of heart attack can sometimes be subtle and slow to progress.

Heart attack warning signs vary from person to person. Some people describe symptoms of heart attack as feeling like they have indigestion or heart burn.

Symptoms of heart attack may include some or all of the following:

Chest pain. Pain may be severe or described as a crushing feeling in the centre of the chest or a mild pain that makes you feel unwell. Chest pain may spread to other parts of the body and can disappear and come back.
Discomfort in shoulders, arm, neck and jaw. Pain may be described as a mild ache or pressure that spreads from the chest to one or both shoulders, the neck, arm or jaw.
Shortness of breath. Feeling breathless or finding it difficult to take a breath due to pressure in the chest can be a sign of heart attack.
Nausea / vomiting / dizzy. The pain from a heart attack can make a person feel lightheaded, dizzy and clammy. A person may break out in a cold sweat and feel faint.

Anyone experiencing symptoms of heart attack should call 000 immediately for emergency help. Treatment of heart attack will begin as soon as the paramedics arrive.

Early treatment for heart attack will prevent extensive damage to the heart and give a person the best chance of recovery.