A heart attack can happen to anyone, at any time, regardless of age, but middle-aged or older people are at greater risk than others of having one. Furthermore, if you have a strong family history of heart disease you can experience a heart attack at any time, even in your early forties.
A heart attack happens when the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a section of heart muscle suddenly becomes blocked and the heart can’t get oxygen. If blood flow isn’t restored quickly, the section of heart muscle begins to die.
How will you know when you are having a heart attack? ER24 has provided the following list of possible symptoms:
• Pain or discomfort in the centre of the chest, arms, left shoulder, elbows, jaw or back
• Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath
• Feeling sick or vomiting
• Feeling lightheaded or faint
• A cold sweat and becoming pale
• Women are more likely to experience shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and back or jaw pain
People experiencing these symptoms should seek medical care immediately.
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