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During a heart attack, a lack of blood flow causes the tissue in the heart muscle to die. A heart attack is also called a myocardial infarction. Prompt treatment is needed for a heart attack to prevent death. Call 911 or emergency medical help if you think you might be having a heart attack.
A heart attack usually is diagnosed in an emergency setting. However, if you're concerned about your risk of a heart attack, talk to your care provider. A cardiovascular risk assessment can be done to determine your level of risk. You may be referred to a doctor trained in heart diseases (cardiologist).
Classic signs and symptoms of a heart attack include crushing, substernal chest pain, pain in your shoulders or arms, shortness of breath, and sweating. However, many heart attacks have minimal or no symptoms and are found later during routine testing.
Atherosclerosis symptoms usually don't happen until an artery is so narrowed or clogged that it can't send enough blood to organs and tissues. Sometimes a blood clot completely blocks blood flow. The clot may break apart. If this happens, it may cause a heart attack or stroke.
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a short period of symptoms similar to those of a stroke. It's caused by a brief blockage of blood flow to the brain. A TIA usually lasts only a few minutes and doesn't cause long-term damage.
Classic signs and symptoms of a heart attack include crushing, substernal chest pain, pain in your shoulders or arms, shortness of breath, and sweating. However, many heart attacks have minimal or no symptoms and are found later during routine testing. Diagnosing starts by talking to your doctor.
Heart attack. A heart attack occurs when an artery supplying the heart with blood and oxygen becomes blocked. Fatty deposits build up over time, forming plaques in the heart's arteries. If a plaque ruptures, a blood clot can form and block the arteries, causing a heart attack.
Cardiomyopathy can lead to serious medical conditions, including: Heart failure. The heart can't pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. Without treatment, heart failure can be life-threatening. Blood clots. Because the heart can't pump well, blood clots might form in the heart.
Always call 911 or your local emergency number if you think you might be having a heart attack. A type of arrhythmia called ventricular fibrillation can cause a dramatic drop in blood pressure. This can cause the person to fall to the ground within seconds, also called collapse.
A heart attack happens when cell death damages or destroys heart tissue. A heart attack also is known as a myocardial infarction. Unstable angina occurs when blood flow to the heart decreases.