Warning signs and symptoms of heart attack, cardiac arrest, and stroke

Understanding heart attacks

• A heart attack, other known as a myocardial infarction occurs when the blood supply to the cardiac muscle is blocked, which causes an insufficient supply of oxygenated blood to one or several parts of the cardiac muscle. This is caused by an obstructed artery that limits the supply of oxygen-rich blood to a particular region of the heart.
• Obstructed or clogged arteries are caused by atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a condition that develops when plaque, a viscous substance, gradually builds up in the arteries from lipids, cholesterol deposits, calcium, and blood cells.
• When a plaque ruptures, clots form, which then results in obstructions. The cardiac muscles would then be starved of oxygen and nutrients, causing them to die. This would then lead to a heart attack.

Signs and symptoms of a heart attack to look out for

Symptoms of a heart attack can include:

1. Pain or discomfort in the chest (i.e., stabbing sensation in the middle of the chest)
2. Aching or discomfort in the back, neck, or jaw. The pain may spread to the left side of the body (i.e., left jaw, left shoulder, or left arm)
3. Shortness of breath regardless of any chest discomfort
4. Cold sweats, dizziness, or feeling weak

Find out more on the diagnosis and treatment options for a heart attack.

In case of emergencies or if you believe someone is experiencing a heart attack, call the Accident & Emergency or the ambulance service at Gleneagles Hospitals right away.

Understanding cardiac arrests

• A cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is not the same as a heart attack.
• Sudden cardiac arrest, which refers to the sudden loss of heart function, respiration and responsiveness, generally occurs suddenly and without prior warning. It is brought about by an electrical disturbance in the heart which results in erratic heartbeats (arrhythmia).
• This condition is deemed a medical emergency as the heart would not be able to pump blood to the other organs such as the lungs and brains. It can be fatal if not treated promptly.

Signs and symptoms of a cardiac arrest to look out for

Symptoms of a cardiac arrest can include:

1. Abrupt loss of awareness or responsiveness
2. Absence of pulse or breathing
3. Shortness of breath
4. Heart palpitations
5. Discomfort in the chest

If you believe someone is having a cardiac arrest, contact Accident & Emergency or the ambulance service at Gleneagles Hospitals right away. If you have received training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), keep applying chest compressions until help arrives.

Understanding strokes

• A stroke develops when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures or gets blocked by a clot or a plaque. This results in the loss and impairment of memory as a portion of the brain tissues would die from a lack of oxygen and nutrients.
• Blood flow to the brain is cut off when a blood clot forms in the carotid artery from a build-up of plaque. This would then lead to a stroke.

Signs and symptoms of a stroke to look out for

Symptoms of a stroke can include:

1. Sudden tingling, numbness or weakness on only a single side of the face, body, arm, or leg (including drooping or numbness on one side of the face, and the inability of lifting one's arm).
2. Sudden difficulties speaking or understanding a regular conversation (Including slurring and difficulties repeating simple sentences).
3. Sudden disorientation.
4. Sudden changes to eyesight.
5. Sudden loss of coordination or stability.
6. Sudden intense headache

Find out more on the diagnosis and treatment options for a stroke.

If you believe someone is having a stroke, contact Accident & Emergency or the ambulance service at Gleneagles Hospitals right away.

Visit your nearby Gleneagles Hospital to learn more about our Cardiology Services.

Reference

1. Heart attack symptoms, risk, and recovery. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/heart_attack.htm [Accessed on 13 May 2022]
2. National Institutes of Health. What is atherosclerosis. Available at https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/atherosclerosis [Accessed on 13 May 2022]
3. American Heart Association. Heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest differences. Available at https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/about-heart-attacks/heart-attack-or-sudden-cardiac-arrest-how-are-they-different [Accessed on 13 May 2022]
4. MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Sudden cardiac arrest. Available at https://medlineplus.gov/suddencardiacarrest.html [Accessed on 23 May 2022]
5. Heart Attack, Stroke and Cardiac Arrest Symptoms. Available at https://www.heart.org/en/about-us/heart-attack-and-stroke-symptoms [Accessed on 31 May 2022]
6. Sudden cardiac arrest. Available at https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sudden-cardiac-arrest/symptoms-causes/syc-20350634 [Accessed on 31 May 2022]
7. Stroke symptoms. Available at https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/stroke-symptoms [Accessed on 31 May 2022]