First Aid: Heart Attack



What is a heart attack?

A heart attack happens when the blood supply to the heart muscle is suddenly blocked. The blockage means the heart can’t work effectively.
The symptoms of a heart attack vary, but may include:
  • persistent, vice-like chest pain, which may spread to their arms, neck, jaw, back or stomach
  • breathlessness
  • feeling unwell
  • sweating.

What is the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest?

A heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest.
With a heart attack, a blockage suddenly stops blood reaching the heart and it can’t work effectively. This might cause cardiac arrest, when the heart stops working completely.

Someone having a cardiac arrest will collapse, become unresponsive and stop breathing.

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