Heart Attack Symptoms: Every Minute is Vital

How Does a Heart Attack Occur?

Fatty plaques accumulated over time in the coronary arteries feeding the heart muscle (atherosclerosis) can suddenly rupture or clots can form on them. When this clot completely cuts off blood flow, heart muscle tissue that cannot be nourished begins to die within minutes. In medicine, the "Time is muscle" rule applies; the faster the blocked vessel is opened, the less damage the heart receives.

Classic and Atypical Symptoms

A heart attack doesn't always happen by a person holding their chest and collapsing on the floor like in the movies. Symptoms may vary from person to person:

• Chest Pain: Feeling of pressure, tightness, fullness, or pain lasting longer than a few minutes in the center of the chest. It's usually described as "like someone is sitting on me."
• Spreading Pain: Pain hitting the left arm, shoulders, neck, jaw, or back.
• Shortness of Breath: Sudden lack of breath with or without chest pain.
• Other Symptoms: Cold sweating, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or unexplained extreme weakness.

Special Warning for Women and Diabetes Patients

In women, the elderly, and diabetes patients, heart attack symptoms can be much more vague. It can show itself with only heartburn, back pain, or advanced fatigue without chest pain. Since this condition can cause diagnosis to be delayed, these groups need to be much more careful.

What to Do in the Moment of Crisis?

1. Call Emergency Services Immediately: Don't try to go to the hospital with your own vehicle, call an ambulance. The medical team in the ambulance starts the intervention on the way.
2. Rest: Don't strain yourself, sit or lie down calmly.
3. Get Air: Loosen the collar, ensure the environment is ventilated.
4. Medical Suggestion: If it was prescribed by your doctor before, use your sublingual medicine.