A heart attack or myocardial infarction occurs when the supply of blood to the heart is suddenly blocked, typically caused by a blood clot.
It is a serious medical emergency and the NHS advices that you should call 999 and ask for an ambulance if you suspect you or someone else is having a heart attack.
The lack of blood to the heart may cause severe damage to heart muscles and be life-threatening.
Earlier this year, the NHS England has launched a brand new lifesaving campaign to help prevent heart attack deaths in the UK.
The campaign aims to encourage more people to dial 999 as soon as they experience the early signs of a heart attack.
With over 800,000 Brits visiting hospital every year due to heart attacks, catching the horrors early helps prevent death. In fact, early treatment increases the survival rate from seven in 10 to nine in 10.
However, experts at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences found that ninety five per cent of participants in a trial had unusual symptoms more than one month before their heart attacks and that these resolved after the event.
The symptoms include:
- Sleep disturbance
- Shortness of breath
- Indigestion
- Anxiety
- Heavy/weak arms or legs
- Changes in thinking
- Loss of appetite
Deputy chief medical officer for Vitality, Dr Anushka Patchava, explained that usual symptoms include chest pain, chest tightness, chest heaviness – which could suggest your heart muscle is not receiving enough oxygenated blood, reports The Sun.
What causes a heart attack?
Heart attacks are caused when the supply of blood to the heart becomes blocked, starving the muscle of oxygen and potentially causing serious damage
The NHS explains that while early signs can vary, most experience squeezing sensations across the chest. Those experiencing early signs of a heart attack will be conscious and breathing.
Cardiac arrest, however, is when the sufferer's heart suddenly stops beating. It can happen quickly and without warning, with the person immediately losing consciousness.
Those experiencing a cardiac arrest will usually die within minutes if not treated urgently. A heart attack can often lead to cardiac arrest if early treatment is not sought.
