Every year more than a million men and women have a heart attack in this country and about half of them die. About half of those who die from a heart attack do so within the first hour of the signs and before they ever reach the hospital. Therefore, knowing the signs of a heart attack and calling 911 within 5 minutes is important. Lives are saved when help is provided within the first hour of signs developing.

The treatment for heart attacks has improved greatly. In the past people who suffered a heart attack were kept on bed rest until their heart healed. Now there are actions, medications, and/or surgeries that can restore blood flow to the heart muscle and limit the amount of damage to the heart.

People can live normal lives after a heart attack. But the longer someone waits, the more damage the heart muscle suffers. This damage is permanent and not reversible.

What is a Heart Attack?

A heart attack occurs when an artery supplying blood and oxygen to the heart muscle becomes blocked. The longer the artery remains blocked, the more damage that occurs to the heart muscle. If the blockage remains for too long, the heart muscle will start to die. Help given within the first hour after signs begin will help to restore blood flow, saving the heart muscle.

How Do I Know if I am Having a Heart Attack?

A heart attack sometimes causes chest discomfort or pain. Chest pain can be very mild or strong and may be nonstop or may come and go. Other signs of a heart attack may include:

• Chest pain felt as pressure, squeezing, fullness, or tightness – Most heart attacks cause some type of discomfort – often times in the center of the chest that lasts more than 5 minutes
• Discomfort in the arms, back, neck, or jaw
• Shortness of breath – often along with chest pressure. A person may feel like they can't catch their breath
• Nausea or indigestion (upset stomach)
• Breaking out in a cold sweat
• Dizziness or light-headed feeling
• Fatigue or flu-like symptoms
• A feeling of "something bad is about to happen"

Remember, someone does not have to experience all of these signs to be having a heart attack; they could experience only one or a few.

Some people may not be aware they are having a heart attack because the signs begin slowly, are mild, or come and go. They may blame the signs on another medical condition, a pulled muscle or the flu. A person may be embarrassed to go to the Emergency Room if the pain is not very severe. Some people may not believe they could be at risk for having a heart attack. This is especially common in women.

People may ignore their signs thinking they will go away, or wait till the signs get severe before seeking medical help. This is dangerous!

What Should I Do if I Think I am Having Symptoms of a Heart Attack?

Don't wait more than 5 minutes – Call 911! Emergency medical personnel can evaluate a person’s medical condition, be in contact with an Emergency Room doctor, and begin treatments and medications before arriving at the hospital. They also carry defibrillators which can restart the heart if it stops beating. Rapid treatment will save heart muscle.

Patient delay, not transport or hospital delays, is the most common cause of not getting quick treatment for a heart attack.

The best time to build a plan is before signs occur. Would you know what to do if you were having signs of a heart attack? Or if a friend or co-worker were to have signs?

Remember – a heart attack may be stopped by quick action and medical treatment to restore blood flow to the heart muscle.

6/23/2008