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Heart Attack Defined
It’s helpful to remember these heart attack basics
As you manage your heart health, it’s helpful to brush up on some heart attack basics – including what causes these events
and the symptoms we should always watch for.
What is a heart attack?
A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, occurs when one or more regions of the heart muscle experience a severe or prolonged
lack of oxygen caused by blocked blood flow to the heart muscle. The blockage is often a result of atherosclerosis – that
is, a buildup of plaque (known as cholesterol), other fatty substances and a blood clot.
Plaque inhibits and obstructs the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart, thus reducing the flow to the rest of the body. The
cause of a heart attack is a blood clot that forms within the plaque-obstructed area. If the blood and oxygen supply is cut
off severely or for a long period of time, muscle cells of the heart suffer damage and die. The result: dysfunction of the
muscle of the heart in the area affected by the lack of oxygen.
Know the symptoms
In addition to understanding what causes a heart attack, it’s important to remember the most common symptoms, which include:
- Severe pressure, fullness, squeezing, pain and/or discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes
- Pain or discomfort that spreads to the shoulders, neck, arms or jaw
- Chest pain that increases in intensity; that is not relieved by rest or by taking cardiac prescription medication; that occurs
with sweating, cool, clammy skin and/or paleness; shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting; dizziness or fainting; unexplained
weakness or fatigue; or rapid or irregular pulse
Chest pain is the key warning sign of a heart attack but may be confused with indigestion, pleurisy, pneumonia or other disorders.
Always consult your physician for more information.
To schedule an appointment with a Jefferson cardiologist, call 1-800-JEFF-NOW.
