Medical Author: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP
Medically Reviewed on 8/6/2021
Doctor's Notes on Heart Attack
A heart attack is the death of the heart muscle due to inadequate oxygen supply.
Often, people may have no symptoms of a heart attack. When symptoms do occur, classic symptoms of a heart attack include
- chest pain (may be described as tightness, fullness, pressure, or an ache) associated with shortness of breath,
- profuse sweating, and
- nausea.
Other symptoms of a heart attack may include
- indigestion,
- jaw ache,
- the pain only in the shoulders or arms,
- shortness of breath, or
- nausea and vomiting.
In women and the elderly, heart attack symptoms can be uncommon and vague and can be easily missed. In some cases, the only complaint may be extreme weakness or fatigue. If you suspect you or someone you know is experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack, call 911 immediately.
What Is the Treatment for a Heart Attack?
A heart attack is a medical emergency. Call 911 immediately if you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of a heart attack.
A heart attack is treated with medications and procedural therapies.
Medications used to treat a heart attack include;
- Aspirin
- Beta-blockers
- Nitroglycerin
- Blood thinners
- Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)
- Clopidogrel (Plavix)
- Low molecular weight heparin (Lovenox)
- Eptifibatid (Integrilin)
Procedural therapies for a heart attack include:
- Cardiac catheterization
- Angioplasty or stent placement
- Cardiac bypass surgery
Heart Disease : Test Your Medical IQ Quiz
QuestionIn the U.S., 1 in every 4 deaths is caused by heart disease.
See AnswerMust Read Articles:
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Angina is a term to describe chest pain that occurs when the heart is not getting enough blood. There are two types of angina, stable (the most common) and unstable. Stable angina generally lasts less than 5 minutes and is relieved by nitroglycerin tablets. Angina may be caused by heart disease, coronary artery spasm, or other causes. Risk factors for angina include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, family history, aging, and stimulant use. Treatment depends upon the cause of angina. -
Automated External Defibrillators (AED)
Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are used when a person has had a heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest. It is a machine that instructs the user through the steps to defibrillate the victim. As more and more AEDs are placed in public places, more lives are saved from sudden cardiac arrest. -
Can a Hiatal Hernia Feel Like a Heart Attack?
A heart attack happens when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in the heart, which causes heart muscle death. A hiatal hernia is a GI tract problem that occurs through the opening of the diaphragm where the esophagus meets the stomach. When the muscles surrounding the diaphragm become weak or damaged, the upper portion of the stomach protrudes through the opening of the diaphragm. Both a heart attack and hiatal hernia can cause the same symptoms of chest pain that radiates down the arm, back, and neck, they are not the same. Heart attack is a medical emergency while a hiatal hernia usually is not. Heart attack symptoms that do not occur with a hiatal hernia include shortness of breath with chest pain that feels tight, full, achy, or pressured, heart palpitations, and jaw ache. Heart attacks in women also cause symptoms of extreme weakness and fatigue. Hiatal hernia symptoms that are different from heart attack are severe heartburn, belching, indigestion, coughing, problems swallowing, hiccups, and upper abdominal pain. Both heart attack and hiatal hernia may be preventable diseases. Heart attack is a medical emergency. Call 911 of you think you or someone you are with is having a heart attack; even if you think it may be heartburn or indigestion. -
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
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Electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG)
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Hardening of the Arteries (Atherosclerosis)
Atherosclerosis is the term referring to a hardening of the arteries caused by buildup of fat and cholesterol on the artery walls. The deposits, called plaque, can eventually block blood flow. Obesity, high cholesterol, age and a number of other factors put people at risk for atherosclerosis. Treatment may include lifestyle changes, surgery, and medication. -
Heart Attack: Early Warning Symptoms and Signs
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Heart Disease
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Is Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy a Heart Attack?
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Staying Up-to-Date: Heart Attack Guidelines
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SVT (Supraventricular Tachycardia) vs. Heart Attack
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What Are the Signs of An Impending Heart Attack?
A heart attack, also called myocardial infarction (MI), happens when the blood flow from the coronary arteries to the heart is reduced or blocked completely. When this occurs, it starves the heart muscle of oxygen and nutrients, resulting in damage to the heart and potential death. -
What Are the Silent Signs of a Heart Attack?
When blood flow from the coronary arteries to the heart is reduced or blocked completely, this causes a heart attack (myocardial infarction or MI). Silent symptoms of a heart attack include mild chest pressure or discomfort, shortness of breath, dizziness or lightheadedness, nausea, cold sweats/clammy skin; and pain, tingling, or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach. -
What Does a Mini Heart Attack Feel Like?
A mini heart attack, also called a mild heart attack or a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), is when there is only partial blockage of the artery, the symptoms don’t last as long as a regular heart attack, and the heart may only suffer minimal damage. -
Winter Health Hazards: Heart Attacks and Broken Bones
Winter health hazards include heart attacks brought on by exertion from snow shoveling, slipping and broken bones from slipping on ice, and loss of the tips of fingers in snowblowers.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.