Be Prepared - Heart Attacks

A Heart Attack, also known as an “MI” (Myocardial Infarction) is a medical emergency. If you see or have these warning signs or symptoms, CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY.

A heart attack happens when a part of the heart does not get enough oxygen to keep the heart muscle alive. It is generally caused by a blockage in one of the heart blood vessels that prevents enough blood to get through.

Some heart attacks happen suddenly and are very intense – the classic “movie heart attack”. But many, in fact most, start slowly, with only mild pain or discomfort. Too often people don’t know what is wrong, and they wait too long to call for help. The following are signs that a heart attack may be happening:

  1. Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve 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, squeezing, fullness, burning, or pain,

  2. 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,

  3. Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort,

  4. Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness       

As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

There are a number of risk factors for a heart attack. Some cannot be changed, such as:

  1. Age- risk increases with age, particularly for women after menopause,

  2. Heredity and Race- Risk is higher for African Americans and Hispanics than for Caucasians, mostly due to increased rates of high blood pressure and diabetes, and for those with a close family member who has had heart disease,

  3. Sex- men have more heart attacks than women,

  4. Previous stroke, heart attack, or TIAs (transient ischemic attack, or “warning stroke”, or “mini-stroke”)

There are some risk factors that a person might have that can be changed, treated or controlled. You should see or be followed by your doctor or care giver if you have any of the following conditions:

  1. Tobacco Smoke Inhalation exposure,

  2. High Blood cholesterol,

  3. High Blood Pressure,

  4. Physical Inactivity,

  5. Obesity, or being overweight,

  6. Diabetes,

  7. Too high of levels of stress,

  8. Too much alcohol