What is a heart attack?

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is suddenly blocked. Part of the heart can die if the person is not helped quickly. 

Common signs and symptoms of a heart attack include: 

• Pain or discomfort in the center or left side of the chest – or a feeling of squeezing, squeezing or tightness. 
• Pain or discomfort in your upper body, such as your arms, back, shoulders, neck, jaw, or upper abdomen (above the navel). 
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing (while resting or moving) 
• Stomach discomfort or vomiting 
• Abdominal pain or feeling like you have heartburn  
• Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or unusually tired 
• Sweating profusely 

Not everyone who has had a heart attack has all signs or symptoms. 

Don’t ignore the change in your feelings.

Symptoms of a heart attack often appear suddenly. But sometimes it develops slowly for hours, days, or even weeks before a heart attack occurs. 

Talk to your doctor if you feel unusually tired for several days. Or if you have a new health problem (such as pain or difficulty breathing), it is important to talk to your doctor if an existing health problem (such as pain) bothers you more than usual. 

If you have had a heart attack before , it is important to know that the symptoms of a new heart attack may be different from those of a previous heart attack. So talk to your doctor if you have concerns about how you feel.  

Call 911 right away if you or someone else is having a heart attack.

Don’t ignore any signs or feel embarrassed to ask for help. Quick action can save lives. So call 911 even if you are not sure you have a heart condition. 

Ambulance is the best and safest way to get to the hospital . In an ambulance, the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) can track your condition and start life-saving treatment right away. 

People who call an ambulance tend to be treated in hospital faster. And when you call 911, the operator can tell you what needs to be done in order for the ambulance to get there. 

Take steps today to reduce your risk of heart disease.

Control cholesterol and blood pressure.

High cholesterol and high blood pressure can lead to heart disease and heart attacks. If your cholesterol or blood pressure numbers are high, you can take steps to reduce these values. 

Check your cholesterol.

It is important to have your cholesterol levels checked at least every five years . Some people will need to have more or less checks  . 

Check your blood pressure.

At the age of 18, your blood pressure should be checked regularly. Asymptomatic hypertension 

Tools Use MyHealthfinder  to receive personalized screening and vaccination recommendations 

Learn about your family’s health history.

Your family history affects your risk of heart disease.  To keep track of your family’s health , share the information with your doctor or nurse. 

If you are concerned that your family members are at risk of heart disease 

Talk to your doctor about taking a daily aspirin.

If you are 40 to 59 years old, taking a daily aspirin may reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. But doctors do not advise everyone to take aspirin. Talk to your doctor to see if taking aspirin is the right choice for you. 

Talk to your doctor about taking medications to reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. 

Experts recommend that some people between the ages of 40 and 75 take a medication called a statin. If they are at risk of developing cardiovascular disease 

Eat healthy.

Eating healthy can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Heart-healthy diets include those that are low in saturated fat, added sugar, and sodium (salt). 

Heart-healthy foods include foods high in fiber.

Make sure to choose healthy foods when eating out, for example, order a side salad instead of french fries or fries. 

Drink alcohol in moderation.

Drinking a lot of alcohol can increase your risk of heart disease. So if you choose to drink alcohol, drink in moderation, i.e. one drink or less per day for women and two drinks or less per day for men.  

Awake

Regular exercise can help prevent heart disease. Adults need at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week. This includes anything that makes your heart beat faster, such as walking, dancing, and cycling. 

If you are just starting out take it easy! Try brisk walking in your day, even 5 minutes has real health benefits. And you can create more events over time. 

Maintain a healthy weight

People who are overweight or obese have an increased risk of heart disease. High blood pressure and type 2 diabetes

If you are overweight or obese , losing 5 to 10 percent of your weight can help reduce your risk of heart disease. For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, that means losing 10 to 20 pounds. 

If you do not know whether your weight is normal or not. 

Quit smoking and stay away from passive smoking.

Quitting smoking reduces the risk of heart disease and heart attack. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) for free support and to set up a plan to stop smoking. 

It is also important to avoid secondhand smoke. So keep your home smoke free. If you have guests who smoke , ask them to go out and smoke. If someone in your house smokes 

Stress control

Managing stress can help prevent serious health problems such as heart disease, depression, and high blood pressure. Deep breathing and meditation are great ways to relax and manage stress.