Heart Attack

A heart attack occurs when the flow of blood through a coronary artery is completely blocked. Most of the time, a heart attack causes permanent damage to your heart muscle, which is why it’s also called a myocardial infarction or MI. Myocardial means “heart muscle,” and infarction means “tissue death”.

Symptoms - take immediate action

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but many heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Don’t wait too long before getting help.  Signs of a heart attack:

• Chest discomfort. Discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, pain, squeezing, or fullness.
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort.
• Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness.

If you are experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, call 911. Quick treatment minimizes heart muscle damage and can save your life.

Causes

Most heart attacks are caused by coronary artery disease (CAD), the buildup of a material called plaque in the coronary arteries. This buildup can eventually block the flow of blood in the artery, or cause blood clots that block the artery. A less common cause of heart attack is a spasm in the artery.

Prevention

Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle can help you keep your cholesterol and blood pressure down, keep your arteries clear, and prevent a heart attack.

• Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat sources of protein such as nuts and fish
• Exercise regularly
• Maintain a healthy weight and keep diabetes under control
• Quit smoking

 Diagnostic Testing

• Cardiovascular Diagnostic Testing
  • Blood Tests
  • Chest X-rays
  • Echocardiography
  • Electrocardiogram (EKG,ECG)
  • Medical History & Physical Exam
  • Nuclear Cardiac Perfusion Imaging
  • Stress Testing
• Cardiovascular Advanced Imaging
  • Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Treatment Procedures

• Cardiac Cath Lab Interventional Procedures
  • Angioplasty (PTCA)
  • Brachytherapy
  • Stent Placement

Medication

Taking medications is one of the most important aspects of your treatment. To get the most benefit from your heart medications and avoid mistakes and complications, it helps to understand why you’re taking them and how they work.

Intermountain Healthcare resources on heart attack, diagnosis, and treatment

• If Chest Pain Strikes
• Recovery from a Heart Attack
• Recovery from a Heart Attack (Spanish)
• Heart Care Handbook Chapter 2 - Understanding Heart Disease
• Heart Care Handbook Chapter 4 - Diagnostic Tests
• Heart Care Handbook Chapter 5 - Treatment Procedures
• Heart Care Handbook Chapter 6 - Medications

Intermountain Healthcare resources on heart healthy living

• Heart Care Handbook Chapter 7 - Activity for a Healthy Heart
• Heart Care Handbook Chapter 9 - More Healthy Habits

Additional Resources

• American Heart Association (AHA)
• Medline Plus Heart Pages