Heart Attack

Recognize the signs of a heart attack

A heart attack happens when there is a blockage in your heart. The blockage is typically made up of cholesterol or fat, which create plaque buildup in your arteries. If the plaque ruptures, it can form a clot that stops the blood from being able to pump through. Without adequate blood flow, your heart can suffer damage.

Symptoms of a heart attack

If you experience any of the follow signs or symptoms of a heart attack, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room:

Chest pain, chest pressure or an aching sensation that spreads to your arms or back
Shortness of breath
Cold sweats
Nausea or vomiting
Severe heartburn or stomach pain
Fatigue
Sudden dizziness or loss of consciousness (passing out or blacking out)

Not all people will have the same symptoms if they’re having a heart attack. Heart attacks affect men and women differently. According to the American Heart Association, women can experience:

Chest pressure or squeezing
Shortness of breath
Pain in arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach
Nausea and dizziness

Women are more often than men to experience more side effects of a heart attack including nausea and dizziness.

Men often experience:

Chest pain or pressure
Pain in shoulders, arms, stomach, back, neck or teeth
Shortness of breath
Coughing or wheezing

Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in the United States.

If you have a medical emergency, call 911 or visit the NMC Health Medical Center Emergency Department.

Coronary Calcium Scoring

You could prevent a heart attack before it happens with a simple test. Learn if you might be a candidate for coronary calcium scoring to assess your risk of heart attack before it happens.

Coronary Calcium Scoring

Cardiac Rehab

Cardiac Nuclear Stress Testing

Cardiac Care

FAQs

How do I know if I am at risk for heart disease?

To find out if you are at risk for developing heart disease, talk with your doctor. He or she will able to assess whether your risk is mild, moderate or severe.

General factors that could put you at risk for heart disease are:

Being male
Being older
Being a woman who has hit menopause
Having a family history of heart disease or heart attack
Smoking
High blood pressure or cholesterol
Obesity
Having diabetes
Severe stress levels
Not exercising or eating healthy

What should I do if I am at risk for heart disease?

Your doctor can talk to you about some lifestyle changes that might lower your risk for heart attack. He or she can provide a treatment plan to keep your symptoms under control and lower the effects on your body to maintain your health.

Some easy tips include:

Eating healthy and limiting salt
Exercising regularly and staying active
Getting a coronary calcium screening to assess your risk for heart attack
Monitoring and working to reduce your cholesterol
Lowering your blood sugar and maintaining your diabetes

I've had a heart attack. What can I do to prevent another one?

Once you’ve had a heart attack, your doctor might suggest you go through a cardiac rehab program. NMC Health offers cardiac rehabilitation. Here, you will learn healthy lifestyle changes that may help prevent another heart attack.

Some other things you can do include: