Myocardial infarction

When the blood supply to the heart muscle is blocked by a blood clot, the heart muscle will be damaged by a lack of oxygen. This is called a heart attack. Oxygen deficiency in heart muscle will cause pain and heart to work harder and faster to compensate.

A heart attack can have various symptoms

Common symptoms are acute chest pain and malaise/nausea. In many cases, it feels like a belt tightening around the chest. People may have different symptoms and to varying degrees. For example, myocardial infarction in women, in the elderly and in people with diabetes is often less obvious than in others. Almost one out of three women and one in four men who have a heart attack have modest or no pain. Many people experience only mild pain, nausea, dizziness, malaise, cold sweats.

The following symptoms are typical of a developing heart attack:

• Chest pain or pressure in the chest that lasts for several minutes. Perceived as squeezing, pressing or tightening over or inside the chest. Often radiation to one or both arms.
• The pain can also only be felt in the hips, jaw, back or upper abdomen.
• Nausea and vomiting
• Short breath and dizziness
• Damp and pale skin

A heart attack usually occurs suddenly, even at night. Some may have warning symptoms hours, days or weeks in advance. Eventually, the person may notice that less and less effort is needed before the pain comes.

First aid myocardial infarction

If the pain and discomfort does not go away in the person, call Emergency 113 for help in assessing measures. You shall not wait more than five minutes to see if the symptoms go away. A person with a heart attack must get help quickly to reduce damage to the heart muscle. Ask the person to sit down, find a comfortable position and keep calm. Stay with the person until the ambulance arrives.