Difference Between Mild & Severe Heart Attack

Heart attacks are the leading cause of death in both men and women in the United States today. Symptoms of a heart attack can be mild or very severe. There are treatments for heart attack victims that can save lives, if treatment is sought early enough.

Identification

• A heart attack occurs when blood flow is restricted to the heart. If blood flow is not restored, the heart muscle begins to die due to lack of oxygen.

Causes

• The most common cause of heart attacks in both men and women is coronary artery disease. This is caused by the build-up of plaque on the walls of the coronary arteries. These arteries supply blood to the heart, and if an area of plaque ruptures, it can form a blood clot on the artery. A heart attack can occur if the blood clot blocks the flow of oxygen to the heart.

Mild Heart Attack Symptoms

• In mild heart attacks, you may feel like there is a tight band around the chest or have pain in the chest. Other mild heart attack symptoms may include jaw pain, mild discomfort in the left hand, sweating, nausea, weakness and fatigue.

Severe Heart Attack Symptoms

• The symptoms of a severe or massive heart attack may include sudden, severe chest pain, irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing, vomiting, sweating, feeling of impending doom, a decrease in blood pressure and severe pain in chest or jaw.

Warning

• If you experience any of these symptoms no matter how mild, call 9-1-1 immediately. Early detection and treatment is the key to surviving a heart attack with as little damage to the heart as possible.