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A heart attack (also known as myocardial infarction) occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked. It is a life-threatening condition and can result in permanent damage to the heart muscle.
If you are concerned about your risk for heart attack in the Bay Area, Find a Doctor at Dignity Health to help you create a personalized prevention plan.
When blood flow is blocked to the heart, your heart does not get enough oxygen. Without oxygen and other nutrients, heart muscle cells start to die, leading to a heart attack.
Causes of blocked or reduced blood flow to the heart include:
Sometimes, heart attack symptoms come on suddenly. However, they may come on gradually over the course of a day, several days, or even weeks.
Seek immediate medical care or call 9-1-1 if you or someone you know experiences:
Women often experience subtle symptoms when having a heart attack such as fatigue and nausea.
Healthcare providers use several tests to diagnose a heart attack and assess heart damage:
At Dignity Health, our team of experts focus on treating heart attack as quickly as possible. Early heart attack treatment can not only save your life, but also preserve heart function and prevent long-term disability.
Heart attack treatments we offer include:
At Dignity Health, we are dedicated to treating you and your loved ones with compassion and humankindness.
Find trusted emergency care at Dignity Health hospitals for heart attack in San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Redwood City.