[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/01\/heart-attack-warning-signs\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/01\/heart-attack-warning-signs\/","headline":"Heart Attack Warning Signs","name":"Heart Attack Warning Signs","description":"A\u00a0heart attack, also called a\u00a0myocardial infarction\u00a0(MI), occurs when a heart artery (also known as a coronary artery) is unable to supply a part of the heart muscle with enough blood to keep that part of the heart muscle alive. This may be due to the sudden formation of a clot in the artery that stops […]","datePublished":"2014-01-18","dateModified":"2024-01-25","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/heart-vascular","name":"Heart and Vascular Institute","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/heart-vascular","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/heart-and-vascular-institute\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/heart-stethoscope.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/heart-stethoscope.png","height":527,"width":791},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/01\/heart-attack-warning-signs\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Heart and Vascular Health"],"wordCount":543,"keywords":["chest pain","diabetes","heart attack","high blood pressure","high cholesterol","indigestion","myocardial infraction","obesity","overweight","physical activity","smoking"],"articleBody":"A\u00a0heart attack, also called a\u00a0myocardial infarction\u00a0(MI), occurs when a heart artery (also known as a coronary artery) is unable to supply a part of the heart muscle with enough blood to keep that part of the heart muscle alive.This may be due to the sudden formation of a clot in the artery that stops the flow of blood in that artery, or to the slow buildup of cholesterol plaques around the heart artery that cause the artery to narrow significantly over months to years.When blood flow is restricted or blocked, the heart muscle cells don’t get the oxygen they need and begin to die after just a few minutes. This causes the heart muscle to malfunction and can lead to heart failure and\/or death. It is the death of the heart muscle cell that is the actual \u201cheart attack.”Other conditions of the heart are sometimes called a \u201cheart attack,” but that is incorrect. It is only the death of the heart muscle cells due to a lack of oxygen from a blocked artery that is a true \u201cheart attack.”Am I at Risk for A Heart Attack?\u201cHeart attacks can affect adults of all ages but are more likely to occur as we get older,” says\u00a0Christopher B. Haas, DO, an interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Heart and Vascular Institute at UPMC Western Maryland. \u201cSome people are more likely than others to have a heart attack, and the more risk factors a person has, the more likely they are to have a heart attack. Some risk factors can be improved, but others can’t be modified.”Risk factors that can’t be modifiedAge \u2014 heart attack risk increases starting at age 45 for men and 55 for women.Family history of heart disease.Previous coronary heart disease.Modifiable risk factorsRisk factors you can do something about:Smoking.High blood pressure.High cholesterol.Diabetes.Being overweight or obese.Lack of physical activity.Heart Attack Symptoms\u201cKnowing the warning signs and symptoms of a heart attack is crucial,” says Dr. Haas. \u201cEarly treatment \u2013 especially within the first 90 minutes of the onset of a heart attack \u2013 can reduce the damage done to the heart and save your life.”Chest pain\/pressure\/discomfort lasting a few minutes or more is the main symptom of a heart attack. It is important to point out that although chest pain\/pressure\/discomfort is an important symptom for women to recognize, they are less likely than men to feel it.Often, women may have only some of the other symptoms listed below. Men may have these symptoms as well:Shortness of breath.Nausea.Vomiting.Sudden profuse sweating.Dizziness.Extreme weakness.Anxiety.If you or someone near you are experiencing any of these symptoms,\u00a0call 911 immediately\u00a0and request an ambulance for the quickest and safest transportation to the hospital.\u00a0Do not have a friend or family member drive you to the emergency room, and do not drive yourself.If you think you may have heart disease or be at risk for a heart attack, consult your health care provider or\u00a0visit UPMC’s Heart and Vascular Institute website.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on January 18, 2014, and was last reviewed on January 25, 2024."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2014","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"01","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/\/01\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Heart Attack Warning Signs","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/01\/heart-attack-warning-signs\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]