Heart attacks

The HSE estimates around 6,000 people have a heart attack each year in Ireland. Two thirds of these are men.

What is it?

It’s a serious medical emergency in which the supply of blood to the heart through one or more coronary arteries is suddenly blocked, usually by a blood clot. This can damage, indeed kill, the heart muscle.

What causes a heart attack?

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause where coronary arteries get clogged up with deposits of fat called plaques.

If one of these plaques bursts, a blood clot forms which prevents blood reaching the heart muscle, triggering a heart attack.

You’re at risk if: you smoke, eat a high animal-fat diet, suffer from diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, you’re overweight or obese.

What are the symptoms?

The most well-known is chest pain where it feels like your chest is being squeezed. The pain can radiate from your chest to your jaw, neck, arms and back. Other symptoms include: shortness of breath, feeling weak and/or lightheaded, overwhelming anxiety.

What’s the treatment?

Dial 999 for an ambulance if you think you or someone else is having a heart attack. If the person isn’t allergic to aspirin give them a tablet (ideally 300mg) which will help to thin the blood.

Once in hospital patients are given anticoagulants to dissolve blood clots and, if necessary, surgery to bypass the clot.

Your recovery

Lifestyle changes such as healthy diet and medications, such as statins (which help lower blood cholesterol levels) aim to reduce your risk of another heart attack and gradually restore your physical fitness. Most people resume normal life, including working.