Heart Attack

The thought of having a heart attack can be very unsettling. You may think heart attack symptoms come on suddenly, but they can occur gradually as well. Call 911 or get emergency care if you or a loved one has symptoms of a heart attack.

Learn the signs and symptoms of heart attack

Every 43 seconds, a heart attack occurs in the US. If you have a blockage that interrupts blood flow to your heart, you could be at risk. Permanent heart damage can result from this very serious cardiovascular condition.

Call 911 or seek immediate medical attention if you have any of the following heart attack symptoms:

  • Cold sweats
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Fullness, burning, squeezing, or pressure in your chest
  • Chest discomfort that spreads to your arms, back, shoulders, jaw, or abdomen

Heart attack symptoms may differ between men and women. In women, symptoms may include nausea or fatigue that occurs with chest pain. If you don’t feel quite right, get immediate care. Early treatment protects your heart from damage and can save your life.

To learn if you are at risk for heart attack, take our heart health risk assessment. At Dignity Health – Mercy Medical Center in Merced, our heart team wants to help prevent you from having a heart attack and can offer strategies for your overall health and well-being.

 

Preventive treatment for heart attack causes

Your heart needs oxygen and nutrients to keep it healthy. If your heart lacks these basic elements, your heart muscle can start to die and put you at risk for a heart attack.

Heart attack can occur from several conditions, including:

  • Spontaneous coronary artery dissection, a sudden tear in your coronary artery where blood becomes trapped and blocks blood flow to your heart
  • Coronary artery spasm, which narrows your artery, slowing or blocking blood flow
  • Plaque buildup and blood clots in the coronary arteries, the most common causes of a heart attack

Your doctor may order a chest X-ray, blood tests, electrocardiogram, coronary angiography, and echocardiogram to help identify heart attack causes and diagnose your heart condition. Dignity Health heart doctors will create a personalized treatment plan and provide care with humankindness.

Find a Doctor who specializes in cardiovascular services and provides quality heart care with a philosophy of dignity and respect.

Experts at Dignity Health – Mercy Medical Center provide life-saving treatments for heart attacks in Merced, CA.