A heart attack, also called a myocardial infarction, occurs when a part of the heart muscle doesn’t receive enough blood flow.
The more time that passes without treatment to restore blood flow, the greater the damage to the heart muscle.
Signs & symptoms
The five major symptoms of a heart attack are:
- Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back.
- Feeling weak, light-headed, or faint.
- Chest pain or discomfort.
- Pain or discomfort in arms or shoulder.
- Shortness of breath.
Other symptoms of a heart attack could include unusual or unexplained tiredness and nausea or vomiting.
Note: If you notice the symptoms of a heart attack in yourself or someone else, call 9-1-1 immediately.