Heart attack

Further Information

• American Heart Association
• American Thrombosis Association
• British Heart Foundation
• Heart Information Network
• Heart and Stroke Foundation
• Thrombosis Interest Group of Canada

Interactive Learning

During a heart attack, a clot blocks the flow of the blood to the heart and the heart muscle begins to die. The more time that passes without treatment, the greater the damage.

Blood is supplied to the heart through coronary arteries. A coronary artery is an artery that supplies blood (along with essential nutrients) to the heart muscle. Death of the heart muscle often causes chest pain and may cause electrical instability of the heart muscle tissue, causing rapid heartbeat (ventricular fibrillation).

Warning signs of a heart attack include:

• Chest discomfort - most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center 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 may also occur before chest discomfort.
• Other symptoms - may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or light-headedness.

Treatments for a heart attack work to open the blocked artery to restore blood flow as fast as possible to prevent or limit damage to the heart muscle, and to lessen the chance of a repeat attack. The sooner treatments are started, the greater the chances are for survival and a full recovery.