Heart Attack

“Women having a heart attack wait longer before
seeking help than men do — one reason women
tend to do worse after a heart attack than men”.1

Umbrella

What may the Heart Attack Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Acute Coronary Syndrome
  • Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI)
  • Coronary Occlusion
  • Coronary Thrombosis
  • Heart Attack
  • Myocardial Infarction (MI)

Definition

What is a heart attack?

DotS the definition of a heart attack may vary. The (United States) Mayo Clinic’s definition is:

“A heart attack occurs when the flow of blood to the heart is severely reduced or blocked. The blockage is usually due to a buildup of fat, cholesterol and other substances in the heart (coronary) arteries”.2

Heart Attack or Cardiac Arrest

Is a heart attack the same as a cardiac arrest?

In Heart Attack and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Differences the American Heart Association (AHA) explain:

“People often use these terms interchangeably, but they’re not the same. A heart attack is when blood flow to the heart is blocked. Sudden cardiac arrest is when the heart malfunctions and suddenly stops beating. A heart attack is a “circulation” problem and sudden cardiac arrest is an “electrical” problem”.3

Cause

What causes a heart attack?

In Heart Attack: Causes of A Heart Attack the British Heart Foundation (BHF) explain:

“Most heart attacks are caused by coronary heart disease (CHD)”.4

Women or Not

Heart Attack Heart AttackIn women, how common is a heart attack?

In Heart Attack Information for Women the [United States] Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health (OWH) elaborate on:

“Although women often think of heart attack as something that usually affects men, heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States. Every 100 seconds, a woman in the United States has a heart attack”.5

Minutes Matter

Do minutes matter?

Yes. The Heart Attack Information for Women the OWH explain:

“The good news is that if you get help quickly, treatment can save your life and prevent permanent damage to your heart muscle. Treatment works best if given within one hour of when heart attack symptoms begin”.6

The BHF also emphasize:

“A heart attack is a medical emergency and you should call” “for an ambulance immediately”.7

Minutes Matter Because

Why do minutes matter?

In Heart Attack Information for Women the OWH point out:

“Women having a heart attack wait longer before seeking help than men do — one reason women tend to do worse after a heart attack than men”.8

Risk Reduction

How can I reduce my risk of having a heart attack?

In Heart Attack: Reducing Your Risk of Having A Heart Attack the BHF explain:

“There are many things you can do to be healthier and reduce your risk, like:

  • Keeping active
  • Maintaining a healthy weight and diet…
  • Limiting how much alcohol you drink…
  • Stopping smoking and using other tobacco products
  • Controlling high blood pressure, cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels (if you have diabetes)”.9

Health Care Provider

What if I think I am at risk for a heart attack?

If you think you are at risk for a heart attack, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Heart Attack?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Heart Attack?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

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  74. Mayo Clinic Minute: How A Coronary Calcium Scan Assesses Heart Attack Risk [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  75. Mayo Clinic Minute: Signs of Coronary Artery Disease, How To Reduce Your Risk [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  76. Mayo Clinic Minute: Women’s Heart Attack Symptoms Vary [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  77. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Self-Care Steps Can Keep Your Heart Healthy During the Holidays
  78. Mayo Clinic Study Indicates Age Has Distinct Influences on Sex-Related Outcomes After Heart Attack
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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Heart Attack Information for Women. Page Last Updated: 22 February 2021. Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/heartattack/facts.html Accessed: 12 August 2024
  2. Heart Attack: Symptoms and Causes – Overview. 09 October 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-attack/symptoms-causes/syc-20373106 Accessed: 12 August 2024
  3. Heart Attack and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Differences. Last Reviewed: 02 December 2022. American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/about-heart-attacks/heart-attack-or-sudden-cardiac-arrest-how-are-they-different Accessed: 12 August 2024
  4. Heart Attack: Causes of A Heart Attack. Page Last Updated: March 2023. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/heart-attack Accessed: 12 August 2024
  5. Heart Attack Information for Women. Page Last Updated: 22 February 2021. Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/heartattack/facts.html Accessed: 12 August 2024
  6. Heart Attack Information for Women. Page Last Updated: 22 February 2021. Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/heartattack/facts.html Accessed: 12 August 2024
  7. Heart Attack. Page Last Updated: March 2023. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/heart-attack.aspx Accessed: 12 August 2024
  8. Heart Attack Information for Women. Page Last Updated: 22 February 2021. Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/heart-attack/facts Accessed: 12 August 2024
  9. Heart Attack: Reducing Your Risk of Having A Heart Attack. Page Last Updated: March 2023. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/heart-attack.aspx Accessed: 12 August 2024
Topic Last Updated: 25 September 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 12 August 2024

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