A heart attack is a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is suddenly reduced or blocked, depriving the heart muscle of oxygen and causing tissue damage. The condition can progress rapidly and lead to serious complications if emergency treatment is delayed.
The most important thing is not to determine on your own whether you are having a heart attack, but to recognize the warning signs and take action as quickly as possible.
What Is a Heart Attack?
A heart attack, also known as myocardial infarction (MI), occurs when a coronary artery supplying blood to the heart muscle becomes blocked or blood flow is severely restricted. When the heart does not receive enough oxygen, the part of the heart muscle beyond the blockage can become damaged and begin to die.
Most heart attacks are associated with coronary artery disease. In this condition, plaque in the artery wall can rupture or break open, allowing a blood clot to form and obstruct blood flow.
A heart attack is not the same as cardiac arrest. A heart attack is primarily a problem with blood flow to the heart muscle, while cardiac arrest occurs when an electrical problem causes the heart to stop pumping blood effectively. However, a heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest in some cases.
Is a Heart Attack Dangerous?
Yes. A heart attack can be life-threatening and requires emergency medical treatment. The WHO emphasizes that time is critical: recognizing symptoms early and reaching emergency medical care during the first hours can improve the chances of survival and recovery.
Therefore, do not wait to see whether the symptoms go away on their own, and do not drive yourself to the hospital if you suspect a heart attack.
Warning Signs of a Heart Attack
Not every heart attack presents in the same way. The most common warning sign is discomfort or pain in the center of the chest, but other symptoms may also occur.
1. Chest Pain or Discomfort
A person may experience:
- Pain, pressure, tightness, or squeezing in the center of the chest.
- A burning sensation or discomfort that lasts for several minutes.
- Symptoms that improve and then return.
The pain or discomfort may spread to one or both arms, the shoulders, neck, jaw, back, or upper abdomen.
2. Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath may occur together with chest pain or may appear even when there is no obvious chest pain. This is an important warning sign, especially when it develops suddenly.
3. Other Warning Signs
A person having a heart attack may also experience:
- Cold sweats.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling faint.
- Pale skin.
- Unusual fatigue.
- Pain or discomfort in the back, shoulder, neck, or jaw.
- A rapid heartbeat or a feeling of palpitations.
In women, older adults, and people with diabetes, symptoms may be less typical. For example, shortness of breath, nausea, unusual fatigue, or pain in the back or jaw may be more prominent than chest pain.
Read more: Causes of Heart Disease: Key Risk Factors to Know
Heart Attack: How to Save Yourself in an Emergency
If you or someone nearby has signs suggestive of a heart attack, prioritize the following steps.
Step 1: Call Emergency Services Immediately
In Vietnam, the medical emergency number is 115. The Ministry of Health also confirms 115 as the emergency medical service number.
Do not wait for the symptoms to become more severe before calling. When a heart attack is suspected, activating emergency medical services early allows the patient to be assessed and treated more quickly.
Step 2: Sit Down and Minimize Movement
While waiting for emergency assistance, the person should sit down or remain in a comfortable position and avoid walking, running, or driving.
Do not try to continue working, exercising, or traveling to the hospital alone.
Step 3: Do Not Take Medication on Your Own to “Stop the Attack”
Do not take heart medication, painkillers, or other medications on your own simply to make the symptoms disappear.
Some international first-aid guidelines allow an alert adult with acute chest pain to chew and swallow 162–325 mg of aspirin while waiting for emergency medical care, provided the person is not allergic to aspirin and has not been advised by a healthcare professional to avoid it. However, if you are unsure whether aspirin is appropriate, you can wait for instructions from emergency medical personnel.
Because of the risk of bleeding and other contraindications, aspirin should not be considered a medication that everyone with chest pain can safely take without medical guidance.
Step 4: If the Person Becomes Unresponsive, Check Responsiveness and Breathing
If the person suddenly becomes unconscious and is not breathing normally, activate emergency services and begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) according to the instructions of emergency personnel if you are able to do so.
This is particularly important because a heart attack can cause cardiac arrest in some cases.
What Should You NOT Do If You Suspect a Heart Attack?
Certain mistakes can delay emergency treatment.
Do Not Wait for the Symptoms to Go Away
A decrease in chest pain does not necessarily mean that the dangerous condition has passed. Heart attack symptoms may appear, improve, and then return.
Do Not Drive Yourself to the Hospital
If you are experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or a risk of losing consciousness, driving yourself can put you and other road users at risk. Calling emergency medical services is safer.
Do Not Assume It Is Indigestion
A burning sensation, bloating, or discomfort in the chest may lead someone to think they have a digestive problem. However, heart attack symptoms can sometimes resemble indigestion or heartburn. When warning signs are present, seek emergency medical assessment rather than assuming the cause yourself.
How Is a Heart Attack Diagnosed at the Hospital?
When a heart attack is suspected, doctors typically assess the patient’s symptoms, perform an electrocardiogram (ECG), and conduct blood tests. Troponin is an important biomarker used to detect heart muscle injury. Depending on the situation, additional imaging tests or coronary angiography may also be required.
Importantly, a single test should not be used on its own to determine whether someone is having a heart attack. Diagnosis should be made in an emergency medical setting based on symptoms, ECG findings, and appropriate laboratory tests.
When Should You Seek Emergency Medical Care Immediately?
Treat chest pain or discomfort as an emergency warning sign when it occurs together with one or more of the following:
- Chest pain or pressure spreading to the arms, shoulders, back, neck, or jaw.
- Sudden or severe shortness of breath.
- Cold sweats.
- Nausea or vomiting accompanied by chest discomfort.
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.
- Pale, cold skin or rapidly worsening symptoms.
- Loss of consciousness or abnormal breathing.
The WHO recommends seeking immediate medical care when symptoms suggestive of a heart attack occur.
Can a Heart Attack Be Prevented?
Not every heart attack can be completely prevented, but many cardiovascular risk factors can be controlled. The WHO emphasizes the importance of not smoking, maintaining a healthy diet, engaging in appropriate physical activity, limiting alcohol consumption, and controlling factors such as blood pressure, blood glucose, blood cholesterol, and body weight.
People at high cardiovascular risk should also discuss regular health assessments and risk-factor management with a healthcare professional rather than waiting until symptoms develop.
A heart attack is a medical emergency that requires treatment as quickly as possible. The most typical warning sign is pain or discomfort in the center of the chest, which may spread to the arms, shoulders, back, neck, or jaw. Shortness of breath, cold sweats, nausea, dizziness, or fainting may also occur.
If you suspect you are having a heart attack, do not wait or drive yourself to the hospital. Call 115, rest in place, and follow the instructions of emergency medical personnel. Recognizing the condition early and reducing the time to emergency treatment can be important for improving treatment opportunities and protecting the heart muscle.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for health education and does not replace a medical diagnosis or direct medical advice. If you are currently experiencing symptoms suggestive of a heart attack, prioritize calling emergency services rather than continuing to read or attempting to manage the condition yourself at home.
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