A heart attack - officially known as a myocardial infarction - occurs when the supply of blood to the heart becomes suddenly blocked, and its often caused by the likes of blood clots and atheroma.
It is an incredibly serious medical emergency, with the NHS advising that if you or someone close to you is suspected to be going through one, you should call 999 immediately and request an ambulance.
When blood is stopped from flowing to the heart adequately, it can cause severe damage to the organ's muscles and could become potentially life-threatening.
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The Mirror reports that earlier this year, the NHS England has launched a brand new lifesaving campaign to help prevent heart attack deaths in the UK. The campaign aims to encourage more people to dial 999 as soon as they experience the early signs of a heart attack.
With over 800,000 Brits visiting hospital every year due to heart attacks, catching the horrors early helps prevent death. In fact, early treatment increases the survival rate from seven in 10 to nine in 10.
However, experts at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences found that ninety five per cent of participants in a trial had unusual symptoms more than one month before their heart attacks and that these resolved after the event.
The symptoms include:
- Sleep disturbance
- Shortness of breath
- Indigestion
- Anxiety
- Heavy/weak arms or legs
- Changes in thinking
- Loss of appetite
Deputy chief medical officer for Vitality, Dr Anushka Patchava, explained that usual symptoms include chest pain, chest tightness, chest heaviness – which could suggest your heart muscle is not receiving enough oxygenated blood, reports The Sun.
What causes a heart attack?
Heart attacks are caused when the supply of blood to the heart becomes blocked, starving the muscle of oxygen and potentially causing serious damage. The NHS explains that while early signs can vary, most experience squeezing sensations across the chest.
Those experiencing early signs of a heart attack will be conscious and breathing.
Cardiac arrest, however, is when the sufferer's heart suddenly stops beating. It can happen quickly and without warning, with the person immediately losing consciousness. Those experiencing a cardiac arrest will usually die within minutes if not treated urgently.
A heart attack can often lead to cardiac arrest if early treatment is not sought.
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