How To Recognize A Heart Attack

Your heart needs a constant supply of blood to keep beating. When that flow is blocked for any reason, the result is a heart attack.

Many people die from heart attacks each year because they don’t receive medical treatment fast enough. Recognizing the signs of a heart attack could save your life or that of someone you love.

The signs of a heart attack can vary from person to person and they may not always be sudden or severe. Keep in mind that although chest pain or discomfort is the most common symptom in both men and women, some people do not feel chest pain. And, some people may experience only one symptom, while others have a combination of the following:

• Chest discomfort (uncomfortable chest pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain, burning or heaviness)

• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body (neck, jaw, shoulder, arms, back)

• Shortness of breath

• Sweating

• Nausea

• Light-headedness

If you experience any of those signs, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number immediately, or have someone call for you.

When heart attack strikes, getting medical help quickly may not just save your life, it can also reduce the damage to your heart muscle – damage that can eventually lead to heart failure.

More information is available at heartandstroke.ca.

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