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What Are the Early Warning Signs of a Heart Attack?

A heart attack occurs when the heart muscle does not get the blood it needs for its nourishment. The heart depends on special blood vessels, called coronary arteries to supply it with nutrition and oxygen. If these arteries become blocked, then the part of the heart that depends on them can become injured. A permanent injury to the heart muscle is called a heart attack.

A heart attack is the most common cause of death in the United States. Every minute of the day someone dies from a heart attack. Early treatment is crucial for heart attack victims. Prompt cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, can save a life. Quick treatment with drugs that break up blood clots can greatly improve a person's chance of surviving a heart attack. Since early treatment makes a difference, it is important to know the early signs of a heart attack.

Signs of a heart attack may be one or more of the following:

  • Discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
  • Discomfort in other areas of the upper body, such as pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
  • Shortness of breath, which often comes with chest discomfort but can occur before the chest discomfort.
  • Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness.

If you or someone you know feels chest discomfort, especially with one or more of the other symptoms, it is important to seek immediate medical care. Do not wait longer than 5 minutes before calling 911. Calling 911 is usually the fastest way to get medical help in an emergency.

If you think a person is having a heart attack, follow this emergency plan:

  • Call for emergency help by dialing 911. Remain on the line. Do not take the person to a hospital in your own car.
  • Be calm and take actions that make the victim feel less excited.
  • Have the victim sit or lie down.
  • Ask the person if they take any medications for chest pain, such as nitroglycerin. If so, get it and follow the written instructions on its use.
  • Ask the person if they are allergic to aspirin. If they are not allergic, have them chew an aspirin as soon after calling 911 as possible. (Aspirin or medicines that have aspirin in them should not be given to anyone younger than 18 years of age. Taking aspirin is a risk for a serious illness called Reye's syndrome.)
  • If the person stops breathing, start mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Tell the 911 operator that this has happened.
If the pulse stops, begin CPR. Continue until help arrives.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. HIL File CARD4291.RF2 VRS# 6101 Data Version 7.0
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McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved.