Myocardial Infarction

Heart attack; a condition caused when the supply of oxygen-carrying blood is prevented from reaching the heart muscle, usually by a blocked or narrowed artery. When this happens, the oxygen-starved heart muscle is injured and may be permanently damaged. Heart attacks can kill. However, with prompt treatment in an Emergency Room or Chest Pain Center, a heart attack can be stopped, preserving the heart muscle and life itself.

Symptoms:

It's important to remember that heart attacks don't always hurt. But they usually do have symptoms. During a heart attack, you may feel some, all, or none of the symptoms below. They may subside, then return. Do not ignore these clues! Call 911 immediately.

• uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing, or pain in center of chest for more than 5-10 minutes. The pain may not be severe. It may spread to shoulders, neck, arms, jaw, or teeth. And remember, there may be no pain at all!
• dizziness; fainting
• nausea
• sweating
• shortness of breath
• feeling of impending doom
• Jaw pain
• Indigestion that cannot be relieved