A heart attack occurs when a blood vessel supplying the heart becomes blocked causing a lack of oxygen to reach the heart. A heart attack is a medical emergency and requires prompt emergency treatment in the hospital to ‘unblock’ the artery.

A heart attack is not the same as a cardiac arrest, although a heart attack can cause a cardiac arrest. A cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating and therefore blood stops circulating around the body.

The medical term for a heart attack is a myocardial infarction. It is important for first aiders to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and call for help promptly

The signs and symptoms of a heart attack

• Persistent central chest pain – the most important feature in the history – caused by a cut off of the blood supply to the heart muscle and consequent deprivation of oxygen.
• The pain often spreads to the jaw and down one or both arms.
• The pain is not relieved by rest – unlike narrowing in angina, a heart attack is caused by a blockage in the artery.
• Pallor, sweating and nausea – the most consistent signs – they are all signs of nervous stimulation as a result of the pain.
• Breathlessness and anxiety – as a result of the pain.
• A rapid weak or irregular pulse
• Gasping for air
• Ashen skin color and blueness around the lips (cyanosis)
• Sudden collapse
• A feeling of ‘impending doom’ – “I’m going to die”

Not all of these signs and symptoms may be present. If you suspect a heart attack you should not delay in calling for emergency medical help.