What is a
heart attack?
Most heart attacks occur as a result of coronary
heart disease. Coronary heart disease occurs when
the coronary arteries (the arteries that supply
blood and oxygen to the heart muscle) become narrowed
by a gradual build-up of fatty materials within
their walls. This fatty material is called atheroma.
If the atheroma becomes unstable, it may break
off and leas to a blood clot forming. If the blood
clot blocks the coronary artery, the heart muscle
is starved of blood and oxygen, and may become
permanently damaged. This is called a heart attack.
A heart attack is sometimes called acute coronary
syndrome, myocardial infarction or coronary thrombosis.
During a heart attack, life-threatening heart
rhythms may develop. This is why a heart attack
is a medical emergency. If you ever think you
are having a heart attack, call 999 immediately.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of a heart attack vary from one person
to another. They can range from a severe pain
in the centre of the chest, to having mild chest
discomfort that makes you feel generally unwell.
Women may experience different symptoms to men.
If you experience any of these symptoms, don't
ignore them. Call 999.
The common or classic symptoms of a heart attack
include:
Central chest pain
the pain can spread to the arms, neck or jaw
some people can feel feel sick or sweaty as well
as having central chest pain
some people can feel short of breath as well as
having central chest pain
The less common symptoms of a heart attack include:
a dull pain, ache or 'heavy' feeling in the chest
a mild discomfort in the chest that makes you
feel generally unwell
the pain in the chest can spread to the back or
stomach
some people say that the chest pain feels like
a bad episode of indigestion
some people can feel a bit light-headed or dizzy
as well as having chest pain
If you think you are having a heart attack call
999 immediately. It could save your life.
How is a heart attack diagnosed?
The ambulance staff will assess your condition,
will start any treatment necessary and get you
to hospital. When you get to the hospital you
will have a rapid assessment by the doctors and
nurses. This involves the following:
an assessment of your symptoms and medical history
a physical examination including monitoring your
heart rate and blood pressure
an electrocardiogram (ECG) to help diagnose your
condition
blood tests to help check for any damage to the
heart muscle
During the time that you are in hospital, other
tests may be carried out to assess your heart
and help to decide the best form of ongoing treatment.
For more information about the different tests
please see our tests section.
How are heart attacks treated?
You will have treatment to help relieve any pain
or discomfort that you may have. This may include
painkillers, oxygen and aspirin. You will also
be given a combination of medication, which you
will be advised to continue taking after you go
home.
Other treatment you are likely to have depends
on the results of your tests and overall assessment
of your condition. The most common types of treatment
that are given to people with a heart attack are:
Thrombolysis: a treatment that helps dissolve
the clot that is blocking the artery and helps
to restore the blood supply to the heart. It involves
injecting a drug in to the blood stream. Thrombolysis
is sometimes called a clot buster.
Coronary angioplasty: a treatment to widen the
artery.
Some people may also be advised that they need
a heart bypass operation.
For more information on all the above treatments,
please see our treatments section and our heart
attack booklet.
Recovery after a heart attack
A heart attack can be a frightening experience
and it is natural to worry about your recovery.
Many people make a full recovery and within a
few months are able to return to their normal
activities. However, some people may find that
they may not be able to do as much as they did
before. Going to a cardiac rehabilitation course
will increase the chances of you getting back
to normal as quickly as possible. For more information
see our recovery section and our booklets heart
attack and cardiac rehabilitation.
Can a heart attack be prevented?
Coronary heart disease and heart attacks can often
be prevented. Even if you have had a heart attack
there are several things you can do to reduce
the risk of heart problems in the future.
These include:
stopping smoking
controlling high blood pressure
reducing blood cholesterol levels
keeping physically active
achieving and maintaining a healthy weight
if you have diabetes, controlling your blood glucose
as much as possible
Please see our keeping your heart healthy section
for more information.
Heart Failure
What is heart failure?
Heart failure is the term used when the heart
becomes less efficient at pumping blood round
the body. In most cases heart failure occurs as
a result of damage to the heart muscle, which
weakens the pumping action of the heart.
What causes heart failure?
The most common cause of heart failure is a previous
heart attack. However, heart failure can also
result from conditions which put an extra workload
on the heart. These conditions include high blood
pressure, valvular heart disease and cardiomyopathies.
Excessive alcohol intake or viral infections can
cause enlargement of the heart which may also
lead to heart failure.
What are the signs and symptoms of heart
failure?
The most common symptoms of heart failure are
breathlessness, tiredness and swollen feet and
ankles.
How is heart failure diagnosed?
Your doctor will want to assess and examine you
and will ask about your medical history and the
symptoms that you have been having. You may need
to have other tests which may include blood tests,
electrocardiogram (ECG) and an echocardiogram.
How is heart failure treated?
At the moment there is no cure for heart failure.
However advances in treatment mean that the outlook
for people with heart failure has improved dramatically
in recent years. There are many things that can
be done to control and improve the condition by
taking medication or making lifestyle changes.
You may have to take a combination of medicines
to help improve your symptoms. For more information
please see our medicines section or our booklet
Medicines for the heart.
There are other treatments and procedures that
may help to treat heart failure and improve symptoms.
For more information on these please see our Heart
Failure Plan - a self-help guide for anyone with
heart failure, and for their family and friends,
Heart Failure DVD/video and Living with heart
failure booklet.
How can I help to control my symptoms?
Symptoms can often be treated effectively and
your outlook improved by a combination of changes
to your lifestyle, such as:
weighing yourself regularly
watching the amount of fluid you have each day
- check with your GP or nurse who much fluid you
should be having a day
cutting down on salt
eating a healthy balanced diet
drinking alcohol only in moderation
stopping smoking
keeping active
maintaining a healthy weight
For more information on all these lifestyle factors,
please see our Heart Failure Plan, Heart Failure
DVD/video and Living with heart failure booklet.
Heart failure and your quality of life
Symptoms of heart failure can sometimes make it
difficult for people to continue with their every
day activities. You should talk to your doctor
or nurse about how you are feeling. They may be
able to adjust your treatment to help improve
your quality of life. Some people find that their
mood is affected and that they worry about their
future. Your doctor or nurse will be able to provide
you with guidance and arrange for any support
you may need. You may also find it helpful to
join a heart support group where you can talk
to other people with heart conditions. To find
where your nearest heart support group is, please
call the Heart Help Line on 0300 330 3311 (local
rate number).
Caring for someone who has heart failure can
be demanding, both physically and emotionally.
If you are caring for someone with heart failure
it is important that you look after your own health
and make sure you get regular breaks. Remember
that doctors and nurses and local voluntary groups
can all help. As for support whenever you feel
you need it. For more information please see our
section Caring for someone with a heart condition.
Please also see our Heart Attack web site for
information on the Heart Attack campaign. The
campaign aims to raise awareness of heart attack
symptoms, and to encourage people to call 999
when they experience them.
For more information please visit http://www.bhf.org.uk/
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