The Heart Foundation of Jamaica - What is a Heart Attack ?

	The heart works 24 hours a day, pumping oxygen and nutrient rich blood to the body. Blood is supplied to the heart through its coronary arteries. In coronary heart disease (CHD), plaques or fatty substances build up the walls of the arteries. The plaques also attract blood components, which stick to the artery wall lining. Called atherosclerosis, the process develops gradually, over many years. It often begins early in life, even in childhood. The fatty buildup or plaque can break open and lead to the formation of a blood clot that seals the break. The clot usually stops blood flow. The cycle of fatty buildup, plaque rupture, and blood clot formation causes the coronary arteries to narrow, reducing blood flow. When too little blood reaches the heart, the condition is called ischaemia. Chest pain, or angina, may occur. The pain can vary in occurrence and be mild and intermittent, or more pronounced and steady. It can be severe enough to make normal everyday activities difficult. The same inadequate blood supply also may cause no symptoms, a condition called silent ischaemia. If a blood clot suddenly cuts off most or all blood supply to the heart, a heart attack results. Cells in the heart muscle that do not receive enough oxygen carrying blood begin to die. The more time that passes without treatment to restore blood flow, the greater the damage to the heart. A heart attack is often sudden and intense, but may follow episodes of chest pain (angina) which may be unrecognized. A person may clutch his or her chest and fall over. If you feel such a symptom, you may not be sure what’s wrong. Your symptoms may even come and go. Even those who have had a heart attack may not recognize their symptoms, because the next attack can have entirely different ones. SIGNS OF A HEART ATTACK It is vital that everyone learn the warning signs of a heart attack. These are: • Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the centre of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back. The discomfort can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain. • Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.

	• Shortness of breath. Often comes along with chest discomfort. But it also can occur before chest discomfort. • Other symptoms. May include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or light-headedness. Learn the signs; but also remember: Even if you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, you should still have it checked out. Fast action can save lives; maybe your own. WOMEN & HEART ATTACKS If you’re a woman, you may not believe you’re as vulnerable to a heart attack as men; but you are. Women account for nearly half of all heart attack deaths. Heart disease is the number one killer of both women and men. There are differences in how women and men respond to a heart attack. Women are less likely than men to believe they’re having a heart attack and more likely to delay in seeking emergency treatment. Further, women tend to be about 10 years older than men when they have a heart attack. They are more likely to have other conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and congestive heart failure, making it all the more vital that they get proper treatment fast. Women should learn the heart attack warning signs. As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly, shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain. If you feel heart attack symptoms, do not delay. Remember, minutes matter! Do not wait for more than a few minutes, 5 minutes at most, to go to the hospital.