A heart attack results when an artery that supplies oxygen to the heart is suddenly blocked, starving the heart of oxygen. When this occurs, the heart muscle cells begin to die and the longer the heart is without oxygen, the more permanent the damage.
Heart attack symptoms vary for each person and can be especially different for men and women. Some people experience mild pain or no warning signs before a heart attack, while others undergo serious symptoms weeks or days in advanced.
Learn more about different types of chest pains and its various causes - and also when to see your doctor about it.
A heart attack occurs when one or more of your coronary arteries become blocked and starves your heart of oxygen.
Coronary arteries carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart. If there is a build-up of fatty substances and cholesterol, the arteries will begin to narrow making it harder for oxygen to reach the heart.
Over time, these fatty substances harden and eventually become plaque. If the plaque ruptures, blood cell fragments known as platelets usually stick to the side of the artery that has been injured and can clump together to form blood clots. If a large clot forms, it can block a coronary artery which will result in a heart attack.
The major risk factors that cause a heart attack are:
If you are suffering from a heart attack, you need urgent medical attention at a hospital. A doctor will check your blood pressure, pulse and temperature and assess your symptoms.
Immediate tests which help to indicate if you are having a heart attack (and the degree of damage) include:
The main way to prevent further damage during a heart attack is to restore blood flow to the heart quickly. The faster this happens, the less heart muscle cells will die, which is important as they cannot be repaired of regenerated after injury.
If you believe someone if having a heart attack, call triple zero (000) immediately.
You should have regular physical exams by your doctor to test risk factors, in order to prevent a heart attack from occurring.
Leading a healthy life is the main way to avoid a heart attack. You must also know your family history and if you have unhealthy blood cholesterol levels or high blood pressure, take the appropriate preventative medication recommended by your doctor.
Lifestyle changes include:
Ask your doctor for a heart health check which looks at the key risk signs. Download our Heart Health Check Guide to take with you to your next doctor's appointment and visit our Heart Disease Prevention Tips Hub.
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The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land, the Gadigal of the Eora nation, on which we meet, work, and discover.
Our Western Australian laboratories pay their respect to the Whadjuk Noongar who remain as the spiritual and cultural custodians of their land.
