How to Survive a Heart Attack

Statistics show that around 2.5 million people suffer from heart attacks each year worldwide. In the U.S., over 700,000 people experience heart attacks annually, with approximately 120,000 of them losing their lives to this condition. Heart attacks and other heart-related issues are the leading cause of death in America, often referred to as the number one killer globally. Around 50% of heart attack fatalities occur within the first hour, before victims can reach a hospital. Therefore, if you are experiencing a heart attack, it’s crucial to act swiftly to improve your chances of survival. Calling emergency services within the first 5 minutes and receiving timely medical treatment within the first hour can make a life-or-death difference. If you suspect you're having a heart attack, head straight to the emergency room for immediate care. If not, take a moment to read through some strategies below that could help you survive a heart attack.

Pay attention to chest pain. Mild chest discomfort or a feeling of pressure is often a common sign of heart disease, compared to sudden, intense, and constricting chest pain, which is more typical of a heart attack. This pain may feel like something heavy pressing on your chest, making it tight or constricted, or even cause symptoms like indigestion or heartburn.

• The pain or discomfort, ranging from mild to severe, is typically felt on the left side or in the center of the chest, and may last for several minutes; it might subside only to return again.
• During a heart attack, you might experience pain, pressure, and tightness in your chest, or even a feeling of fullness.
• The chest pain may radiate to other areas, including the neck, shoulders, back, jaw, teeth, and abdomen.

Pay attention to additional symptoms. Along with chest pain, there may be other signs that suggest you're experiencing a heart attack. However, many people have heart attacks without any chest pain at all. Don’t hesitate to seek medical help if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, especially if they accompany chest discomfort:

• Shortness of breath. Unexplained difficulty in breathing may appear before or occur simultaneously with chest pain, and in some cases, it could be the only indication of a heart attack. Labored breathing or the feeling of needing to take deep breaths may also signal you're suffering from a heart attack.
• Abdominal discomfort. Stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting can sometimes accompany a heart attack, and you may confuse these symptoms with the flu.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness. A warning sign of a heart attack could be the sensation that everything around you is spinning or feeling faint, or you might actually pass out.
• Anxiety. You may also feel restless, experience sudden panic attacks, or feel a sense of impending doom for no apparent reason.

Recognizing heart attack symptoms in women. The most common sign of a heart attack in both men and women is chest pain. However, many women (and some men) experience a heart attack with only mild chest discomfort or none at all. Women, along with the elderly and diabetic patients, tend to experience some heart attack symptoms, with or without chest pain:

• Women often experience pain in the chest, but it is not sudden or as tight as the chest pain typically associated with a heart attack. Instead, it starts slowly, gradually intensifying over time, and might subside with rest, returning upon physical activity.
• Pain in the jaw, neck, or back is another common symptom of a heart attack, especially in women.
• Upper abdominal pain, cold sweats, nausea, and vomiting are more common in women than in men. These symptoms may be mistaken for indigestion, heartburn, or the flu.
• A sudden cold sweat from anxiety is a frequent symptom in women. Typically, you would appear anxious or uneasy, not like you're sweating from physical activity.
• Anxiety, panic attacks without reason, and a sense of impending death are more common in women than in men.
• Sudden, unexplained fatigue and weakness, a complete lack of energy, is a symptom of a heart attack more commonly experienced by women. These can last for a short time or persist for several days.
• Shortness of breath, dizziness, and feeling sluggish.

Quick reaction to the above symptoms. Most heart attacks develop gradually rather than suddenly striking the victim. Many people don't even realize they need immediate medical attention. If you or someone you know is experiencing one or more common heart attack symptoms, seek medical help right away.

• Speed is always critical. Around 60% of heart attack fatalities occur within the first hour. However, patients admitted to the hospital within an hour and a half have a higher survival rate than those who arrive later.
• Many people confuse heart attack symptoms with other conditions, such as heartburn, the flu, anxiety, etc. It’s important not to ignore any signs that could indicate a heart attack. Instead, seek immediate help.
• Everyone experiences symptoms differently. Some people may feel mild discomfort, while others experience intense pain. The pain can appear, disappear, and then return within a few hours. Some patients may experience a heart attack after showing mild or no symptoms at all.

Quickly seek medical care. Around 90% of heart attack patients survive if they reach a hospital while still conscious. Many heart attack deaths occur because the victim does not receive timely medical treatment, often due to hesitation in taking action. If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, do not wait for them to subside. Instead, immediately call 115 for urgent assistance.

• Although it's true that the symptoms may not cause harm if you are having a heart attack, your life depends on receiving medical care as soon as possible. Don't let embarrassment or worry about wasting medical professionals' time stop you from seeking help.
• Emergency medical responders can begin treatment as soon as they arrive. Therefore, the fastest way to get help during a heart attack is to contact emergency medical services directly.
• Do not attempt to drive yourself to the hospital. If medical personnel cannot reach you immediately, or if no other urgent option is available, ask a family member, friend, or neighbor to take you to the nearest emergency room.

Notify others that you're having a heart attack. If you are surrounded by family members or are out in public and believe you're experiencing a heart attack, let others know. If the situation is worsening, your life may depend on someone knowing CPR, and you may receive more helpful assistance if people are aware of what's happening.

• If you are on the road, stop your vehicle and signal to another driver, or immediately call 115 and wait for help if you're in an area where medical responders can reach you quickly.
• If you're on an airplane, immediately alert the flight attendants. Many commercial airlines stock medications onboard that may help you, and the flight attendants will check for any doctors on board and provide CPR if needed. The captain may even be asked to reroute the flight to land at the nearest airport if a passenger is having a heart attack.

Limit your activity. If you're unable to get to a medical center immediately, stay calm and minimize your physical exertion as much as possible. Simply sit down, rest, and wait for emergency medical services to arrive. Attempting to move around may stretch the heart muscle and worsen the heart attack.

If advised, take an aspirin or nitroglycerin (as directed by your doctor). When a heart attack begins, some people may feel better after taking an aspirin. You should take the medication immediately and chew it slowly in your mouth while awaiting medical help. If you've been prescribed nitroglycerin, take a dose when a heart attack starts and immediately call emergency services.

• However, aspirin could worsen the condition, so you should consult your doctor today to determine whether this is the right course of action during a heart attack.

After a heart attack, make sure to follow medical advice. Surviving a heart attack is only the beginning; the most important part is to follow your doctor's instructions carefully to ensure a swift recovery, both in the days following and in the long run.

• You will likely be prescribed medications to help prevent blood clotting, and you may need to take these for the rest of your life.

Be mindful of changes in your emotions and mindset. For some heart attack survivors, depression is common. It may stem from feelings of helplessness, low self-esteem, guilt over previous lifestyle choices, or fear and uncertainty about the future.

• Engaging in a physical rehabilitation program with medical supervision, reconnecting with family, friends, and coworkers, and seeking psychological support are effective ways to help survivors regain a sense of normalcy in their lives.

Understand the risk of having a second heart attack. If you’ve had a heart attack before, you’re at higher risk for another one. In the U.S., nearly one-third of heart attacks happen to patients who have survived one previously. Several factors can heighten your risk for a second heart attack:

• Smoking. If you smoke, your risk of a repeat heart attack is doubled.
• High cholesterol. Unhealthy cholesterol levels are a major contributor to heart attacks and other cardiovascular issues, especially when combined with high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking.
• Uncontrolled diabetes significantly raises the risk of another heart attack.
• Obesity. Being overweight increases cholesterol levels and blood pressure, which can lead to heart complications. Obesity can also contribute to diabetes, another risk factor for heart attacks.

Make daily lifestyle changes to protect your health. Unhealthy lifestyle choices can lead to complications that increase the risk of a second heart attack. Lack of physical activity, obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, stress, and smoking all raise the chances of heart disease recurrence.

• Reduce saturated and trans fats. Aim to avoid foods containing partially hydrogenated oils.
• Lower your cholesterol by following a balanced diet, exercising regularly, or taking prescribed cholesterol-lowering medications. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil are particularly effective for lowering cholesterol.
• Limit alcohol consumption. Stick to a small amount of alcohol and avoid excessive drinking.
• Lose weight. A healthy body mass index (BMI) is typically between 18.5 and 24.9.
• Exercise regularly. Consult your doctor to start a fitness program. Exercises that raise your heart rate in a controlled manner, like walking or swimming, are ideal. Based on your current health, you can set realistic goals to improve over time (e.g., walking around the block without becoming winded).
• Quit smoking. Stopping smoking can reduce your risk of another heart attack by 50%.