From foodconsumer.org
Heart Attack Signs: What you need to know
By NIH.gov
Feb 24, 2008 - 10:40:41 PM
Editor's note: Below is a comprehensive booklet cited from
the National Institutes of Health showing you what you need to know about heart
attack signs so that you may have some ideas as to how to prepare for such a
fatal event and may increase your odds of survival. Unfortunately, the odds are
not as good as everyone wants. One thing we would like readers to know is
that cardiovascular disease such as heart attack largely can be avoided as long
as a healthy lifestyle including a healthy diet is followed.
The best medicine is always to prevent any
disease from developing.
Because when
you get the disease, you would have to prepare to accept the reality – a good
chance of death.
Heart Attack Signs
Heart Attacks
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. CHD is caused by a narrowing of the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart, and often results in a heart attack.
Each year, about 1.1 million Americans suffer a heart attack. About 460,000 of those heart attacks are fatal. About half of those deaths occur within 1 hour of the start of symptoms and before the person reaches the hospital.
Fortunately, everyone can take steps to protect their heart–and their life or that of someone else. The key is seeking medical care as soon as possible.
This Web page tells you about heart attack and the steps you can take to increase your chances of survival. You’ll learn why a fast response to the signs of a heart attack is crucial to save lives and limit heart damage.
What Is A Heart Attack?
The heart works 24 hours a day, pumping oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood to the body. Blood is supplied to the heart through its coronary arteries. In coronary heart disease (CHD), plaques or fatty substances build up inside the walls of the arteries. The plaques also attract blood components, which stick to the artery wall lining. Called atherosclerosis, the process develops gradually, over many years. It often begins early in life, even in childhood.
The fatty buildup or plaque can break open and lead to the formation of a blood clot that seals the break. The clot reduces blood flow. The cycle of fatty buildup, plaque rupture, and blood clot formation causes the coronary arteries to narrow, reducing blood flow.
When too little blood reaches the heart, the condition is called ischemia. Chest pain, or angina, may occur. The pain can vary in occurrence and be mild and intermittent, or more pronounced and steady. It can be severe enough to make normal everyday activities difficult. The same inadequate blood supply also may cause no symptoms, a condition called silent ischemia.
If a blood clot suddenly cuts off most or all blood supply to the heart, a heart attack results. Cells in the heart muscle that do not receive enough oxygen-carrying blood begin to die. The more time that passes without treatment to restore blood flow, the greater the damage to the heart.
Who's At Risk?
Heart attacks strike both men and women. However, some persons are more likely than others to have a heart attack because of their "risk factors." Risk factors are behaviors or conditions that increase the chance of a disease. Some of the risk factors for heart attack are beyond your control, but most can be modified to help you lower your risk of having a first–or repeat–heart attack.
Factors that increase the risk of a heart attack are:
Factors you cannot control
Pre-existing coronary heart diseases, including a previous heart attack, a prior angioplasty or bypass surgery, or angina
Age-In men, the risk increases after age 45; in women, the risk increases after age 55.
Family history of early heart disease-a father or brother diagnosed before age 55; or a mother or sister diagnosed before age 65.
Factors you can control
Smoking.
High blood pressure.
High blood cholesterol.
Overweight and obesity.
Physical inactivity.
Diabetes.
Risk factors do not add their effects in a simple way. Rather, they multiply each other’s effects. So, it is very important to prevent or control risk factors that can be modified. If you have one or more of these factors, see your health care provider to find out how to reduce your risk of having a first or repeat heart attack.
Limiting Heart Muscle Damage
Treatments for a heart attack work to open the blocked artery to restore blood flow as fast as possible to prevent or limit damage to the heart muscle, and to lessen the chance of a repeat attack. The main treatments are thrombolytic ("clot-busting") therapy, other medications, and special procedures, such as angioplasty and coronary artery bypass surgery.
To be most effective, these treatments must be given fast–within 1 hour of the start of heart attack symptoms. Acting fast can save your life and limit damage to your heart.
Heart Attack Warning Signs
A heart attack is a frightening event, and you probably don't want to think about it. But, if you learn the signs of a heart attack and what steps to take, you can save a life–maybe your own.
What are the signs of a heart attack? Many people think a heart attack is sudden and intense, like a "movie" heart attack, where a person clutches his or her chest and falls over.
The truth is that many heart attacks start slowly, as a mild pain or discomfort. If you feel such a symptom, you may not be sure what's wrong. Your symptoms may even come and go. Even those who have had a heart attack may not recognize their symptoms, because the next attack can have entirely different ones.
Women may not think they're at risk of having a heart attack–but they are. Learn more about women and heart attack.
It's vital that everyone learn the warning signs of a heart attack. These are:
Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back. The discomfort can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain.
Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
Shortness of breath. Often comes along with chest discomfort. But it also can occur before chest discomfort.
Other symptoms. May include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or light-headedness.
Learn the signs–but also remember: Even if you're not sure it's a heart attack, you should still have it checked out. Fast action can save lives-maybe your own.
After you learn more about heart attack, try a brief quiz to see if you know what to do if you or someone else has warning signs.
Surviving a Heart Attack
How do you survive a heart attack? Fast action is your best weapon against a heart attack. Why? Because clot-busting drugs and other artery-opening treatments can stop a heart attack in its tracks. They can prevent or limit damage to the heart–but they need to be given immediately after symptoms begin. The sooner they are started, the more good they will do–and the greater the chances are for survival and a full recovery. To be most effective, they need to be given ideally within 1 hour of the start of heart attack symptoms.
Uncertainty Is Normal
Expectations often don't match reality when it comes to heart attack. People expect a heart attack to happen as it does in the movies, where someone clutches his or her chest in pain and falls over. Because of this expectation, people often are not sure if they're having a heart attack. As a result, people often take a wait-and-see approach instead of seeking care at once. This even happens to people who have already had a heart attack. They may not recognize the symptoms, because their next heart attack can have entirely different symptoms.
Learn the warning signs of a heart attack. But, always remember: Even if you're not be sure it's a heart attack, you should still have it checked out.
Delay Can Be Deadly
Most persons having a heart attack wait too long to seek medical help–and that can be a fatal mistake. Patient delay–rather than transport or hospital delay–is the biggest cause of not getting rapid care for heart attacks.
People often take a wait-and-see approach, delaying because they:
Do not understand the symptoms of a heart attack and think that what they are feeling is due to something else.
Are afraid or unwilling to admit that their symptoms could be serious.
Are embarrassed about "causing a scene," or going to the hospital and finding out it is a false alarm.
Do not understand the importance of getting to the hospital right away.
Some patients are more likely than others to delay. For instance, women, older persons, and minorities are more likely to delay getting help.
As a result, most heart attack victims wait 2 hours or more after their symptoms begin before they seek medical help. This delay can result in death or permanent heart damage–damage that can greatly reduce the ability to do everyday activities.
Call 9-1-1
The first step to take when a heart attack happens is to call 9-1-1. Call whether you're sure you're having a heart attack or not.
Anyone showing heart attack warning signs needs to receive medical treatment right away. Don't wait more than a few minutes—5 minutes at most—to call 9-1-1.
Calling 9-1-1 for an ambulance is the best way to get to the hospital because:
Emergency medical personnel (also called EMS, for emergency medical services) can begin treatment immediately–even before arrival at the hospital.
The heart may stop beating during a heart attack. This is called sudden cardiac arrest. Emergency personnel have the equipment needed to start the heart beating again.
Heart attack patients who arrive by ambulance tend to receive faster treatment on their arrival at the hospital.
If for some reason, you are having heart attack symptoms and cannot call 9-1-1, have someone else drive you at once to the hospital. Never drive yourself to the hospital, unless you absolutely have no other choice.
Emergency Medical Personnel
Calling 9-1-1 is like bringing a hospital emergency department to your door. Why?
Emergency medical personnel can take vital signs, determine your medical condition, and if needed give added medical care.
In many places, emergency medical personnel are linked to hospitals and doctors, so they can relay your vital signs and electrocardiogram to the emergency department before you arrive. This way, you receive immediate continued treatment by emergency department personnel once you reach the hospital.
Emergency medical personnel can give a variety of treatments and medications at the scene. Emergency medical personnel carry drugs and equipment that can help your medical condition, including oxygen, heart medications (such as nitroglycerin), pain relief treatments (such as morphine), and defibrillators (equipment that restarts the heart if it stops beating).
Plan Ahead
Make a plan now for what you would do if a heart attack should happen. Doing so will save time and could help save a life.
To plan ahead:
1. Learn the heart attack warning signs.
2. Think through what you would do if you had heart attack symptoms. Decide what you would do if it happened while you were at home, in the middle of the night, at work, or at any other place or in any other situation that might need advance planning.
3. Decide who would care for any dependents in an emergency. Emergency medical personnel will generally contact a friend or relative (or the police department, if necessary) to make emergency arrangements for your dependents.
4. Talk with your family and friends about the heart attack warning signs and the importance of acting fast by calling 9-1-1 after a few minutes–5 at the most–if those signs persist. Explain the benefits of calling 9-1-1, instead of getting to the hospital by car.
5. Talk to your health care provider about your heart attack risk and what you can do to reduce it. (Rate your chances of having a heart attack.)
6. Talk to your doctor about what you should do if you experience any heart attack symptoms.
7. Gather important information to take along with you to the hospital. Do this by preparing a heart attack survival plan. Fill in the form, print it out, and keep copies in handy places, such as your wallet or purse.
8. If you are concerned about your insurance coverage, call your insurance company and check on your benefits. Most insurance companies cover emergency care for a possible heart attack.
Testing For A Heart Attack
If you think you’re having a heart attack, get help at once. Don’t wait to be sure. Call 9-1-1 right away. Delay can be deadly.
Once you get help, you will undergo tests to see if a heart attack has actually occurred. Some tests are done at the hospital, while others can be done by emergency medical personnel who come in an ambulance. (Tests and treatments done by emergency medical personnel.)
Key heart attack tests are:
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). This is a graphic record of the electrical activity of the heart as it contracts and relaxes. The ECG can detect abnormal heartbeats, some areas of damage, inadequate blood flow, and heart enlargement.
Blood test. A blood test will be done routinely to check for enzymes or other substances that are released when cells begin to die. These are "markers" of the amount of damage to your heart.
Nuclear scan. This test shows areas of the heart that lack blood flow and are damaged. It also can reveal problems with the heart’s pumping action. A small amount of radioactive material is injected into a vein, usually in the arm. A scanning camera positioned over the heart records whether the nuclear material is taken up by the heart muscle (healthy areas) or not (damaged areas). The camera also can evaluate how well the heart muscle pumps blood. This test can be done during both rest and exercise, enhancing the usefulness of its results.
Coronary angiography (or arteriography). This test is used to check blockages and narrowed areas inside coronary arteries. A fine tube (catheter) is threaded through an artery of an arm or leg up into the heart. A dye that shows up on X ray is then injected into the blood vessel, and the vessels and heart are filmed as the heart pumps. The picture is called an angiogram or arteriogram.
Reducing Heart Attack Risk
You can reduce your risk of having a heart attack—even if you already have coronary heart disease (CHD) or have had a previous heart attack. The key is to take steps to prevent or control your heart disease risk factors.
Six Key Steps To Reduce Heart Attack Risk
Taking these steps will reduce your risk of having a heart attack:
Stop smoking
Lower high blood pressure
Reduce high blood cholesterol
Aim for a healthy weight
Be physically active each day
Manage diabetes
Choose an item to find out more about that step.
Stop Smoking Cigarettes
Cigarette smoking greatly increases the risk of fatal and nonfatal heart attacks in both men and women. It also increases the risk of a second heart attack among survivors. Women who smoke and use oral contraceptives have an even greater risk than smoking alone. The good news is that quitting smoking greatly reduces the risk of heart attack. One year after quitting, the risk drop to about one-half that of current smokers and gradually returns to normal in persons without heart disease. Even among persons with heart disease, the risk also drops sharply one year after quitting smoking and it continues to decline over time but the risk does not return to normal.
(Note: This following links open a second browser window. Simply close that window to return to this page.)
The Virtual Office of the Surgeon General is a Web site of the U.S. Surgeon General. It contains information to help smokers quit. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved five medications to help you stop smoking and lessen the urge to smoke. They are:
Bupropion SR - available by prescription
Nicotine gum - available over-the-counter
Nicotine inhaler - available by prescription
Nicotine nasal spray - available by prescription
Nicotine patch - available by prescription and over-the-counter
All of these medicines will more or less double your chances of quitting and quitting for good. You will find details on this information and more at the Virtual Office of the Surgeon General.
Lower High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure makes the heart work harder. It increases the risk of developing heart disease, as well as kidney disease and stroke.
Also called hypertension, it usually has no symptoms. Once developed, it typically lasts a lifetime.
Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers–the systolic pressure (as the heart beats) over the diastolic pressure (as the heart relaxes). For example, a measurement would be written as 120/80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury).
Normal blood pressure is less than 130 mm Hg systolic and less than 85 mm Hg diastolic. An optimal blood pressure is less than 120 mm Hg systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic. A consistent blood pressure reading of 140/90 mm Hg or higher is considered high blood pressure. If the systolic and diastolic pressures fall into different categories, the higher category is used to classify blood pressure status.
To help prevent or control high blood pressure, you should: lose excess weight; become physically active; follow a heart healthy eating plan, including foods lower in salt and sodium; limit alcohol intake; and, if you are prescribed a medication, take it as directed.
The main types of high blood pressure medications are: diuretics, beta-blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin antagonists, calcium channel blockers, alpha blockers, alpha-beta blockers, nervous system inhibitors, and vasodilators. It’s important that you take medication as prescribed and control your blood pressure to below 140/90 mm Hg.
To learn more about high blood pressure:
A Web page on how to lower high blood pressure, which includes information on treatments, such as a healthy eating plan and types of medications
Publications about high blood pressure.
A special Aim for a Healthy Weight Web page that explains how to assess your risk for developing obesity-related diseases, such as heart disease, and how to lose weight sensibly
Reduce High Blood Cholesterol
The level of cholesterol in the bloodstream greatly affects the risk of developing heart disease. The higher the level of blood cholesterol, the greater the risk for heart disease or heart attack.
Why? When there is too much cholesterol (a fat-like substance) in the blood, it builds up in the walls of arteries. Over time, this buildup causes arteries to become narrowed, and blood flow to the heart is slowed or blocked. If the blood supply to a portion of the heart is completely cut off, a heart attack results.
Various factors affect cholesterol levels: diet, weight, physical activity, age and gender, and heredity.
High blood cholesterol itself does not cause symptoms. You may not know your blood cholesterol level is too high. So, it’s important to have your cholesterol measured. Adults age 20 or older should have their cholesterol checked at least once every 5 years. It best to have a blood test called a lipoprotein profile. This test measures total cholesterol, "good" and "bad" cholesterol, as well as triglycerides, another form of fat in the blood.
High cholesterol is treated with lifestyle changes–a heart healthy eating plan, physical activity, and loss of excess weight–and, if those do not lower it enough, medication. Medications include statins, bile acid sequestrants, nicontinic acid, and fibric acids.
To learn more about high cholesterol:
A special Web page about cholesterol that explains how to lower high blood cholesterol for those who want to prevent or already have heart disease
Publications about cholesterol.
A special Aim for a Healthy Weight Web page that explains how to assess your risk for developing obesity-related diseases, such as heart disease, and how to lose weight sensibly
Aim for a Healthy Weight
A healthy weight is crucial for a long, healthy life. In 1999, almost 108 million-or 61 percent of-adults in the United States were overweight or obese. Being overweight or obese increases your risk of heart attack. And, it increases your risk of developing high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes-each of which also increases your chance of having a heart attack. If you are overweight, even a small weight loss-just 10 percent of your current weight-will help to lower your risk of developing those diseases.
Two of the measures that assess whether or not a person is overweight are body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. BMI is a measure of weight relative to height. To check your BMI, choose this online calculator. Waist circumference measures abdominal fat. The risk for developing heart and other diseases increases with a waist measurement of more than 40 inches in men and more than 35 inches in women.
To be at their best, adults need to avoid gaining weight and many need to lose weight. Losing weight and keeping it off depends on a change of lifestyle that combines sensible eating with regular physical activity, not a temporary effort to drop pounds quickly. If you need to lose excess weight, talk with your health care provider about developing an action plan, which includes a hearty-healthy, low-calorie, nutritious eating plan and physical activity.
To learn more about weight control:
A special aim for a healthy weight Web page that explains how to assess your risk for developing obesity-related diseases, such as heart disease, and how to lose weight sensibly
Publications about a healthy weight
Be Physically Active Each Day
Being physically active reduces the risk of heart-related problems, including heart attack. Physical activity can improve cholesterol levels, help control high blood pressure and diabetes, and manage weight. It also increases physical fitness, promotes psychological well-being and self-esteem, and reduces depression and anxiety.
Those who have already had a heart attack also benefit greatly from being physically active. Many hospitals have a cardiac (or heart) rehabilitation program. A health care provider can offer advice about a suitable program.
To protect your heart, you only need to do 30 minutes of a moderate-intensity activity on most and, preferably, all days of the week. If 30 minutes is too much at one time, you can break it up into periods of at least 10 minutes each.
If you have been inactive, you should start slowly to increase your physical activity.
If you have coronary heart disease, check with you health care provider before starting a physical activity program. This is especially important if you are over age 55, have been inactive, or have diabetes or another medical problem. Your health care provider can give you advice on how rigorous the exercise should be.
To learn more about physical activity:
Take this short quiz:
Check Your Physical Activity and Heart Disease IQ
A special Aim for a Healthy Weight Web page that explains how to assess your risk for developing obesity-related diseases, such as heart disease, and how to lose weight sensibly
Manage Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus affects more than 16 million Americans. It damages blood vessels, including the coronary arteries of the heart. Up to 75 percent of those with diabetes develop heart and blood vessel diseases. Diabetes also can lead to stroke, kidney failure, and other problems.
Diabetes occurs when the body is not able to use sugar as it should for growth and energy. The body gets sugar when it changes food into glucose (a form of sugar). A hormone called insulin is needed for the glucose to be taken up and used by the body.
Symptoms of diabetes include: increased thirst and urination, weight loss, and blurred vision, hunger, fatigue, frequent infections, and slow healing of wounds or sores.
There are two main types of diabetes: insulin-dependent, or type 1, and noninsulin-dependent, or type 2. Type 1 usually appears suddenly and most commonly in those under age 30. Type 2 diabetes occurs gradually and most often in those over age 40. Up to 95 percent of those with diabetes have type 2. You’re more likely to develop type 2 if you are overweight or obese, especially with extra weight around the middle, over age 40, have high blood pressure, or have a family history of diabetes. Diabetes is particularly prevalent among African Americans, Asians, and Native Americans.
Because of the link with heart disease, it’s important for those with diabetes to prevent or control heart disease and its risk factors. Besides diabetes, major risk factors for heart disease include smoking, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, physical inactivity, and overweight and obesity.
Fortunately, new research shows that the same steps that reduce the risk of heart disease also lower the chance of developing type 2 diabetes. And, for those who already have diabetes, those steps, along with taking any prescribed medication, also can delay or prevent the development of complications of diabetes, such as eye disease and nerve damage.
According to the research, a 7 percent loss of body weight and 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week can reduce the chance of developing diabetes by 58 percent in those who are at high risk. The lifestyle changes cut the risk of developing type 2 diabetes regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, or weight.
To reduce the risk of developing diabetes, as well as heart disease, you should:
Follow a heart healthy eating plan, which is low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and moderate in total fat.
Aim for a healthy weight.
Be physically active each day–try to do 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity such as brisk walking on most and, preferably, all days of the week.
Don’t smoke.
Prevent or control high blood pressure.
Prevent or control high blood cholesterol.
If you already have diabetes, you can delay its progression, or prevent or slow the development of heart, blood vessel, and other complications by following the steps given above and these:
Eat your meals and snacks at around the same times each day.
Check with your doctor about physical activities that are best for you.
Take your diabetes medicine at the same times each day.
Check your blood sugar every day. Each time you check your blood sugar, write the number in your record book. Call your doctor if your numbers are too high or too low for 2 to 3 days.
Check your feet every day for cuts, blisters, sores, swelling, redness, or sore toenails.
Brush and floss your teeth and gums every day.
Take any prescribed medication for other conditions, such as coronary heart disease.
Check with your doctor about taking aspirin each day if you have heart disease.
For more on diabetes:
NIDDK Web site. (This link opens a second browser window. Simply close that window to return to this page.)
Please see the NHLBI Web Pages on the following coronary heart disease risk factors:
High Blood Cholesterol: Live Healthier, Live Longer.
High Blood Pressure: Your Guide to Lowering High Blood Pressure.
Weight Control: Aim for a Healthy Weight.
Heart Disease And Medications
Sometimes, medications may be needed to help prevent or control coronary heart disease (CHD) and so reduce the risk of a first or repeat heart attack. But, if medications are needed, lifestyle changes still must be undertaken.
If prescribed, take medications as directed by your health care provider.
Drugs used to treat CHD include:
Aspirin – Aspirin helps to lower the risk of a heart attack for those who have already had one. It also helps to keep arteries open in those who have had a previous heart bypass or other artery-opening procedure such as coronary angioplasty. (More on aspirin and heart attack)
Because of its risks, aspirin is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for preventing heart attacks in healthy individuals. It may be harmful for some persons, especially those with no risk of heart disease. Patients must be assessed carefully to make sure the benefits of taking aspirin outweigh the risks. Talk to your doctor about whether taking aspirin is right for you. (For details on the use of aspirin to prevent heart attacks, please visit the FDA Web site.)
Digitalis – makes the heart contract harder and is used when the heart's pumping function has been weakened; it also slows some fast heart rhythms.
ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitor – stops the production of a chemical that makes blood vessels narrow and is used to help control high blood pressure and for damaged heart muscle. It may be prescribed after a heart attack to help the heart pump blood better. It is also used for persons with heart failure, a condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to supply the body's needs.
Beta blocker – slows the heart and makes it beat with less contracting force, so blood pressure drops and the heart works less hard. It is used for high blood pressure, chest pain, and to prevent a repeat heart attack.
Nitrates (including nitroglycerine) – relaxes blood vessels and stops chest pain.
Calcium channel blocker – relaxes blood vessels and is used for high blood pressure and chest pain.
Diuretic – decreases fluid in the body and is used for high blood pressure. Diuretics are sometimes referred to as "water pills."
Blood cholesterol-lowering agents – decrease LDL cholesterol levels in the blood.
Thrombolytic agents–also called "clot busting drugs," they are given during a heart attack to break up a blood clot in a coronary artery in order to restore blood flow. (More on these and heart attack)
Drugs can cause side effects. If side effects occur, report them to your doctor. Often, a change in the dose or type of a medication, or the use of a combination of drugs can stop the side effect.
To learn more about medications for CHD and its risk factors:
High blood pressure medications.
Drug section of "Your Guide to Lowering High Blood Pressure" Web page
High blood cholesterol medications.
Drug section of "Live Healthier, Live Longer" Web page
Medications Databases
MedlinePlus drug data base—a National Library of Medicine Web site that let's you search for drug information. (This link opens a second browser window. Simply close that window to return to this page.)
Frequently Asked Questions About Heart Attack
Heart Attack Warning Signs—
Q: How would I know if I were having a heart attack?
Often, it is not easy to tell. But there are symptoms people may have. These are: an uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back; discomfort in other areas of the upper body, which may be felt in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach; shortness of breath, which often occurs with or before chest discomfort; and other symptoms such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or light-headedness. When in doubt, check it out! Call 9-1-1. Don’t wait more than a few minutes–5 at most. Call right away!
Q: What is angina and how is it different from a heart attack?
An episode of angina is NOT a heart attack. However, people with angina report having a hard time telling the difference between angina symptoms and heart attack symptoms. Angina is a recurring pain or discomfort in the chest that happens when some part of the heart does not receive enough blood temporarily. A person may notice it during exertion (such as in climbing stairs). It is usually relieved within a few minutes by resting or by taking prescribed angina medicine. People who have been diagnosed with angina have a greater risk of a heart attack than do other people.
Prehospital Delay Time—
Q: I’d rather wait until I’m sure something’s really wrong. What’s the rush anyway?
Clot-busting drugs and other artery-opening treatments work best when given within the first hour after a heart attack starts. The first hour also is the most risky time during a heart attack–it’s when your heart might stop suddenly. Responding fast to your symptoms really increases your chance of surviving.
Q: So how quickly should I act?
If you have any heart attack symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately. Don’t wait for more than a few minutes–5 at most–to call 9-1-1.
Q: Why should I bother? If I’m going to die, there’s not much I can do about it anyway, is there?
That’s not true. There is something that can be done about a heart attack. Doctors have clot-busting drugs and other artery-opening procedures that can stop or reverse a heart attack, if given quickly. These drugs can limit the damage to the heart muscle by removing the blockage and restoring blood flow. Less heart damage means a better quality of life after a heart attack.
Given that these new therapies are available, it’s very sad to know that so many people cannot receive these treatments because they delay too long before seeking care. The greatest benefits of these therapies are gained when patients come in early (preferably within the first hour of the start of their symptoms).
The Role of Emergency Medical Personnel—
Q: Emergency medical personnel cause such a commotion. Can’t I just have my wife/husband/friend/coworker take me to the hospital?
Emergency medical personnel—also called EMS, for emergency medical services—bring medical care to you. For example, they bring oxygen and medications. And they can actually restart someone’s heart if it stops after they arrive. Your wife/husband/friend/coworker can’t do that, or help you at all if they are driving. In the ambulance, there are enough people to give you the help you need and get you to the hospital right away.
Steps to Survival—
Q: I’m not sure I can remember all this. What can I do to make it easier for me?
You can make a plan and discuss it in advance with your family, your friends, your coworkers and, of course, your doctor. Then you can rehearse this plan, just like a fire drill. Keep it simple. Know the warning signs. Keep information–such as what medications you’re taking–in one place. If you have any symptoms of a heart attack for a few minutes (no more than 5), call the EMS by dialing 9-1-1 right away.
Q: I carry nitroglycerin pills all the time for my heart condition. If I have heart attack symptoms, shouldn’t I try them first?
Yes, if your doctor has prescribed nitroglycerin pills, you should follow your doctor’s orders. If you are not sure about how to take your nitroglycerin when you get chest pain, check with your doctor.
Q: What about taking an aspirin like we see on television?
You should not delay calling 9-1-1 to take an aspirin. Studies have shown that people sometimes delay seeking help if they take an aspirin (or other medicine). Emergency department personnel will give people experiencing a heart attack an aspirin as soon as they arrive. So, the best thing to do is to call 9-1-1 immediately and let the professionals give the aspirin.
Originally published on http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/actintime/aha/aha.htm
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