What Is A Heart Attack

ANSWERS Cardiovascular Conditions
by heart
What is a Heart Attack?

A heart attack occurs when blood flow that brings
oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle is severely
reduced or cut off. This is due to a buildup of fat,
cholesterol and other substances (plaque) that narrows
coronary arteries. This process is called atherosclerosis.
When plaque in a heart artery breaks open, a blood clot

forms. The clot can block blood flow. When it completely
stops blood flow to part of the heart muscle, that
portion of muscle begins to die. Damage increases the
longer an artery stays blocked. Once some of the heart
Clot in coronary
muscle dies, permanent heart damage results.
artery preventing
blood flow
The amount of damage to the heart muscle depends on
the size of the area supplied by the blocked artery and Plaque buildup
the time between injury and treatment. The blocked
artery should be opened as soon as possible to reduce
heart damage.
What are the warning signs? What happens after a heart attack?
Atherosclerosis develops over time. It often has no symptoms Depending on the extent of your heart attack and the
until enough damage lessens blood flow to your heart treatment you receive, you may only be in the hospital a
muscle. That means you usually can’t feel it happening until few days. When you return home, your heart muscle will
blood flow to heart muscle is blocked. continue to heal. But your recovery is just the beginning.
You should know the warning signs of heart attack so you Follow your health care professional’s recommendations
can get help right away for yourself or someone else. about your weight, diet, physical activity, medicine and
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense. But most start other lifestyle changes. That way, you’ll have a better
slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Signs of a heart attack chance to improve your health and avoid future attacks.
include: If you’re eligible, your health care professional will
• Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the recommend a cardiac rehabilitation program in your area.
center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes, or Cardiac rehab, a medically supervised program to improve
goes away and comes back. your heart health, has three parts:
• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, your back, neck, • Exercise counseling and training
jaw or stomach. • Education for heart-healthy living
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort. • Counseling to reduce stress
• Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea
or lightheadedness.
If you or someone you’re with has chest discomfort, especially with one or more
of the other signs, immediately call 911 or the emergency response number
(fire department or ambulance) in your area. Get to a hospital right away.
(continued)
What is a Heart Attack?
How can I reduce my risk

for a heart attack?
Even if you have heart disease, you can do a lot to
improve your heart health. Work with your health care
team to reduce your risk. Some steps you can take
include:
• Don’t smoke or vape, and avoid secondhand smoke.
• Treat your high blood pressure, if you have it, according
to your health care professional’s recommendations.
• Eat a heart-healthy diet that’s low in saturated and
trans fats, sodium (salt) and added sugars.
• Move more during your day. Get at least 150 minutes
of moderate-intensity physical activity a week.
• Reach and maintain a healthy weight.
• Control your blood sugar if you have diabetes.
• Get an average 7-9 hours of sleep a night.
• Manage your stress.
• See your health care professional for regular checkups.
• Take your medicine(s) as prescribed. Improving your diet is one of the the many things you can do to improve
your heart health.
HOW CAN I LEARN MORE? Do you have questions

MY QUEST ION S:
for your doctor or nurse?
Call 1-800-AHA-USA1
(1-800-242-8721), or visit heart.org Take a few minutes to
to learn more about heart disease and write down questions
stroke. for the next time you
see your health care
Sign up to get Heart Insight, a free provider.
monthly e-newsletter for heart patients
and their families, at heartinsight.org. For example:
How soon can I return
Connect with others sharing similar to work after my heart
journeys with heart disease and stroke attack?
by joining our Support Network at
heart.org/supportnetwork. Is there a cardiac
rehabilitation program
in my area?
We have many other fact sheets to help you make healthier choices to reduce your risk,
manage disease or care for a loved one. Visit heart.org/answersbyheart to learn more.
© Copyright 2023 American Heart Association, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited. WF_219502 5/23

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ANSWERS Cardiovascular Conditions

What is a Heart Attack?

When plaque in a heart artery breaks open, a blood clot

How can I reduce my risk

HOW CAN I LEARN MORE? Do you have questions

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