Myocardial infarction "Heart attack" Know what's a medical emergency

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Myocardial infarction "Heart attack" Know what's a medical emergency

An MI occurs when blood stops flowing properly to a part of the heart, and the heart muscle is injured because it is not receiving enough oxygen. Usually this is because one of the coronary arteries that supplies blood to the heart develops a blockage due to an unstable buildup of white blood cells, cholesterol and fat. The event is called "acute" if it is sudden and serious.

Symptoms

1.      Chest discomfort or pain

This discomfort or pain can feel like a tight ache, pressure, fullness or squeezing in your chest lasting more than a few minutes. This discomfort may come and go.

2.      Upper body pain

Pain or discomfort may spread beyond your chest to your shoulders, arms, back, neck, teeth or jaw. You may have upper body pain with no chest discomfort.

      3. Stomach pain  

Pain may extend downward into your abdominal area and may feel like heartburn.

4.Shortness of breath

You may pant for breath or try to take in deep breaths. This often occurs before you develop chest discomfort, or you may not experience any chest discomfort.

5.Anxiety

You may feel a sense of doom or feel as if you're having a panic attack for no apparent reason.

6. Lightheadedness

In addition to chest pressure, you may feel dizzy or feel like you might pass out.

7.Sweating

You may suddenly break into a sweat with cold, clammy skin.

8.Nausea and vomiting

You may feel sick to your stomach or vomit.

Most heart attacks begin with subtle symptoms — with only discomfort that often is not described as pain. The chest discomfort may come and go. Don't be tempted to downplay your symptoms or brush them off as indigestion or anxiety.

Don't "tough out" heart attack symptoms for more than five minutes. Call on emergency medical services for help.

If you don't have access to emergency medical services, have someone drive you to the nearest hospital. Drive yourself only as a last resort, if there are absolutely no other options.

Heart attack symptoms vary widely. For instance, you may have only minor chest discomfort while someone else has excruciating pain. One thing applies to everyone, though: If you suspect you're having a heart attack, call for emergency medical help immediately.