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 heart attack is a medical emergency. Call 999 and ask for an ambulance if you suspect a heart attack. A lack of blood to the heart may seriously damage the heart muscle and can be life threatening. Symptoms of a heart attack can include: 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 a heart attack. The faster you act, the better their chances. While waiting for an ambulance, it may help to chew and then swallow a tablet of aspirin (ideally 300mg), as long as the person having a heart attack is not allergic to aspirin. Aspirin helps to thin the blood and improves blood flow to the heart. In hospital, treatment for a heart attack depends on how serious it is. The 2 main treatments are: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of heart attacks. CHD is a condition in which the major blood vessels that supply the heart get clogged with deposits of cholesterol, known as plaques. Before a heart attack, 1 of the plaques bursts (ruptures), causing a blood clot to develop at the site of the rupture. The clot may block the supply of blood to the heart, triggering a heart attack. The time it takes to recover from a heart attack will depend on the amount of damage to your heart muscle. Most people can return to work after having a heart attack. Some people are well enough to return to work after 2 weeks. Other people may take several months to recover. How quickly you can go back to work depends on your health, the state of your heart and the type of work you do. The recovery process aims to:
Find out more about recovering from a heart attack Complications of a heart attack can be serious and possibly life threatening. These include:
These complications can happen quickly after a heart attack and are a leading cause of death. Many people die suddenly from a complication of a heart attack before reaching hospital or within the 1st month after a heart attack. The outlook often depends on:
Find out more about complications of a heart attack There are 5 main steps you can take to reduce your risk of having a heart attack (or having another heart attack):
This video explores the symptoms, surgical treatments and importance of reducing risk factors for a heart attack.
Page last reviewed: 28 November 2019 1. The person may have persistent, vice-like chest pain, which may spread to their arms, neck, jaw, back or stomach.
This pain happens because a blockage stops blood getting to the heart muscle. The pain will not ease with rest.
2. Call 999 as soon as possible. If you can’t call 999, get someone else to do it. The person needs medical help as soon as possible. A heart attack can be very serious and needs immediate attention.
3. Help the person to sit down. Ensure they are comfortable – for example, sitting on the floor and leaning against a chair or a wall. Sitting will ease the strain on the heart. Sitting them on the floor also means they are less likely to hurt themselves if they collapse.
4. Reassure them while you wait for the ambulance.
Watch how to help someone who may be having a heart attack (1 minute 44 seconds)
What is a heart attack?A heart attack happens when the blood supply to the heart muscle is suddenly blocked. The blockage means the heart can’t work effectively. Back to questions How can I tell if someone is having a heart attack?The symptoms of a heart attack vary, but may include:
Back to questions What is the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest?A heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest. With a heart attack, a blockage suddenly stops blood reaching the heart and it can’t work effectively. This might cause cardiac arrest, when the heart stops working completely. Someone having a cardiac arrest will collapse, become unresponsive and stop breathing. Find out how to help someone who is unresponsive and not breathing. Back to questions Should I give them aspirin?You can offer the person an aspirin tablet to chew slowly, as this will help thin their blood. They should not take more than 300mg in one dose. Back to questions Should they take any heart medication they have?If they have tablets or a spray, let them take it. You may need to help them to take it. Back to questions What is angina?Angina is a tight feeling in the chest. The tight feeling happens because the arteries narrow, restricting the blood supply to the heart. Angina often happens when a person is exercising or excited. Symptoms include chest pain and shortness of breath but, unlike a heart attack, symptoms ease with rest and taking prescribed medication. Most people diagnosed with angina manage it with tablets or spray medication. During an angina attack, the pain should reduce if the person rests and takes their prescribed medication. Call 999 if the pain doesn’t reduce after two doses of medication, as they may be having a heart attack. Back to questions What should I do if they become unresponsive?Find out: Email us if you have any other questions about first aid for someone who may be having a heart attack.
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How to stop a heart attack in 30 seconds
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