Heart Attack: symptoms, causes & treatment in Nigeria
Also known as myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest (commonly confused).
This page is general health information, not a diagnosis. Always consult a licensed clinician about your own health.
Overview
A heart attack happens when a blood vessel supplying the heart muscle suddenly blocks, starving part of the heart of oxygen. The classic warning is crushing chest pain or pressure that may spread to the arm, jaw or back. Every minute counts — emergency hospital treatment can save the heart muscle and the life.
Symptoms
Crushing chest pain, pressure or tightness
Pain spreading to the left arm, jaw, neck or back
Profuse sweating
Shortness of breath
Nausea or vomiting
Light-headedness or collapse
Unusual fatigue (sometimes the main sign in women and diabetics)
Causes & risk factors
Blocked coronary artery from cholesterol plaque and clot
Hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol
Smoking
Obesity, inactivity and family history
Treatment & self-care
A suspected heart attack is a 911-style emergency: get to the nearest capable hospital immediately — do not drive yourself if avoidable, and do not wait to see if it passes. Hospitals treat with clot-dissolving or artery-opening procedures plus protective heart medicines. Recovery includes daily preventive tablets, cardiac rehabilitation and aggressive control of BP, sugar and cholesterol.
See a doctor urgently if
Chest pain or pressure lasting more than a few minutes — go now
Chest pain with sweating, breathlessness or nausea
Pain spreading to arm, jaw or back
Fainting or collapse
This condition can be an emergency. If any of the signs above are severe or getting worse, go to the nearest emergency room now or call 112 or 199 — do not wait for an online consultation.
Frequently asked questions
What are the first signs of Heart Attack?
Early signs often include crushing chest pain, pressure or tightness, pain spreading to the left arm, jaw, neck or back, profuse sweating. Symptoms vary from person to person, so a proper assessment by a doctor is the only way to be sure.
Can Heart Attack be treated?
A suspected heart attack is a 911-style emergency: get to the nearest capable hospital immediately — do not drive yourself if avoidable, and do not wait to see if it passes. Hospitals treat with clot-dissolving or artery-opening procedures plus protective heart medicines. Recovery includes daily preventive tablets, cardiac rehabilitation and aggressive control of BP, sugar and cholesterol.
When should I see a doctor about Heart Attack?
See a doctor promptly if you notice: chest pain or pressure lasting more than a few minutes — go now; chest pain with sweating, breathlessness or nausea; pain spreading to arm, jaw or back; fainting or collapse. These can be signs of an emergency — if severe, go to the nearest emergency room or call 112 or 199.