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By Nancy Reid, Staff Writer
The heart is a muscle that acts as a pump. The heart pumps blood, rich in carbon dioxide and depleted of oxygen, through the lungs. The lungs remove carbon and add oxygen. Once oxygenated, the blood returns to the heart to be pumped to the rest of the body. After blood circulates through body tissues, it is returned to the heart and the process is repeated.
For the heart to do its job, it needs oxygen. There are special blood vessels on the outside of the heart, called coronary arteries, which supply the heart muscle with oxygen.
When one or more of these blood vessels becomes blocked (usually from a blood clot that has formed in the blood vessel), blood cannot get through this area and to the heart muscle.
Within about 20 minutes of not receiving blood and oxygen, the affected heart tissue starts to die. When heart tissue dies, it can no longer contract or function as it did before. Heart attacks can destroy different areas of the heart muscle, depending on which coronary artery is blocked.
When should I go to the hospital if I have chest pain?
If you are having any chest discomfort or any other symptoms of a heart attack, get to the nearest hospital right away. Do not drive yourself. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number.
Making the decision to get to a hospital without delay is often the most important factor that determines if you live and how much heart damage you sustain. Research shows one in three people die from a heart attack within the first few hours after the heart attack begins.
Denial is the number one reason that most people with chest pain delay treatment. They do not want to admit that they may be having a heart attack, and they try to dismiss the pain as indigestion or some other less serious illness.
Knowing the signs of a heart attack and how heart attacks are treated can help people get help immediately, which can help prevent death or permanent damage to the heart.
Symptoms of a heart attack can include:
- Chest pain, discomfort, pressure, squeezing or fullness
- Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, shoulders, neck, jaw or stomach
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling sweaty, nauseous or lightheaded
Not all these symptoms happen in every heart attack. Heart attack symptoms may start slowly and gradually get worse or they may
go away and come back.
If you think you might be having a heart attack, get to the nearest hospital right away. Do not drive yourself. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number.
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This article was reviewed and updated
08-01-2009.
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