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Heart attack

12-minute read

Call triple-zero (000) immediately and ask for an ambulance if someone is unconscious or may be having a heart attack.

Key facts

  • A heart attack happens when your heart muscle can't get enough oxygen, usually due to a blocked blood vessel.
  • Common symptoms include chest pain, difficulty breathing and sweating.
  • Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of heart attacks.
  • Smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol increase your chances of having a heart attack.
  • If you're having a heart attack go to a hospital emergency department immediately — treating a heart attack early can prevent permanent heart damage.

What is a heart attack?

A heart attack happens when there is a sudden loss of blood flow to part of the heart muscle. This is usually caused by a blockage in one or more of the heart's blood vessels, which are called coronary arteries. These arteries deliver blood and oxygen to your heart.

When an artery is blocked, your heart muscle doesn't get enough oxygen. This means it can't pump blood to the rest of your body.

A heart attack is also known as a myocardial infarction.

A heart attack is a medical emergency. Without enough oxygen, your heart muscle can be permanently damaged.

In Australia, almost 1 in 50 people will experience a heart attack during their life.

Is a cardiac arrest the same as a heart attack?

A cardiac arrest and a heart attack are both medical emergencies. However, they are not the same thing.

A heart attack is where a blocked artery reduces blood flow to the heart muscle. It causes chest pain and breathing difficulties but the heart can usually continue to beat. Sometimes a heart attack can lead to a cardiac arrest.

A cardiac arrest is where there is a problem with the electrical signals that tell your heart to beat. Your heart stops beating or doesn't beat properly. This leads to unconsciousness ('passing out') and loss of breathing. Immediate treatment is needed to get your heart working again.

What are the symptoms of a heart attack?

If you have chest pain, difficulty breathing or palpitations, or feel faint, sweaty or unwell, you could be having a heart attack. Call triple-zero (000) immediately and ask for an ambulance if symptoms are severe, getting worse or last longer than 10 minutes.

Heart attack symptoms can vary from person to person. Some people do not have any symptoms. You may have mild chest pain or no chest pain at all, or for the pain to come and go.

Symptoms of a heart attack may include:

Heart attack symptoms in females

Females are less likely than males to have chest pain. They may experience:

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.

What are the warning signs?

Watch this video about heart attack warning signs, from Heart Foundation.

When should I call an ambulance or go to the emergency department?

If you think you or someone else may be having a heart attack, call triple-zero (000) right away and ask for an ambulance. Early treatment could save a life.

What should I do while waiting for the ambulance?

If you are having symptoms of a heart attack, you should:

If someone is unconscious or not breathing, call for help and start CPR immediately. If available, use a defibrillator.

Do not drive if you're having a heart attack. If no ambulance is available, ask a bystander or neighbour to take you to the hospital.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

What causes a heart attack?

The most common cause of a heart attack is coronary artery disease.

This happens when the arteries of the heart narrow or get blocked by plaque. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol and other substances. If the plaque bursts, a blood clot can form. This blocks the flow of blood and oxygen to your heart muscle, causing damage.

Other causes of a heart attack include:

Risk factors

Certain lifestyle factors can increase your risk of a heart attack.

Risk factors you can't change include:

Risk factors you can change or manage include:

Other health conditions can increase your chance of having a heart attack, such as hyperthyroidism and severe anaemia. Getting the flu or COVID-19 can also lead to a heart attack.

How is a heart attack diagnosed?

Your doctor will diagnose a heart attack by asking about your symptoms and doing tests. They will also check your vital signs, such as your blood pressure, pulse and temperature.

Tests to confirm a heart attack and check for any damage to your heart include one of more of the following:

How is a heart attack treated?

When treating a heart attack, it is important to get blood flowing again to your heart quickly. The longer your heart is without oxygen, the more damage there will be.

Medicines

Medicines are given as soon as possible to help restore blood flow and prevent further damage. They can also help prevent another heart attack.

Medicines include:

LOOKING FOR A MEDICINE? — To search by brand name or active ingredient, use the Medicines information search feature.

Surgical procedures

Treatments that can restore blood flow to your heart include the following:

Life after a heart attack

After the heart attack is treated, ongoing treatment focuses on recovery and prevention of further heart attacks.

Cardiac rehabilitation is a program of education and exercise. It provides support during your recovery and helps lower your risk of having another heart attack. It will help you make lifestyle changes (such as starting a healthy diet, quitting smoking and managing stress) to help prevent another heart attack.

ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.

What are the complications of a heart attack?

Complications can be serious and may include:

Can a heart attack be prevented?

Making healthy lifestyle changes is the best way to lower your risk of a heart attack.

Here are some tips to improve your heart health:

See your doctor to check your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol. Your doctor can help you manage these to prevent a heart attack.

Get vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu to help protect yourself and others.

NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT? — Use the BMI Calculator to find out if your weight and waist size are in a healthy range.

Resources and support

The Heart Foundation offers resources about:

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Do you prefer to read in languages other than English?

The Heart Foundation has fact sheets on heart health translated into more than 25 community languages.

The Heart Foundation has a video about the warning signs of a heart attack in several community languages.

Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?

HealthInfoNet provides advice on cardiovascular health for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

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