HEART ATTACK

HOW DOES A HEART ATTACK OCCURS?

A heart attack occurs when the flow of blood to the
heart is severely reduced or blocked. The blockage is
usually due to a buildup of fat, cholesterol and other
substances in the heart arteries. The fatty, cholesterol-
containing deposits are called plaques. The process of
plaque buildup is called atherosclerosis.
Sometimes, a plaque can rupture and form a clot that
blocks blood flow. A lack of blood flow can damage or
destroy part of the heart muscle.
A heart attack is also called a myocardial infarction.
HEART ATTACK SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of a heart attack vary. Some people have
mild symptoms. Others have severe symptoms.
Some people have no symptoms.
Common heart attack symptoms include:
• Chest pain that may feel like pressure, tightness,
pain, squeezing or aching
• Pain or discomfort that spreads to the shoulder,
arm, back, neck, jaw, teeth or sometimes the
upper belly
• Cold sweat
• Fatigue
• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath
 MY HEART WILL BE PERMANENTLY
DAMAGED?
The heart is a tough organ. Even
though part of it may have been
severely injured, the rest of the
heart keeps working. But, because
of the damage, your heart may be
weakened, and unable to pump as
much blood as usual.
With proper treatment and lifestyle
changes after a heart attack, further
damage can be limited or
prevented.
HEART TESTS
Common heart tests used to identify
these changes include:

• An electrocardiograph (ECG)
• Blood tests
• An echocardiogram
• An angiography