02/04/2026
Heart Attack: Know the Facts
A heart attack happens when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is suddenly blocked—most often by a blood clot that forms on top of fatty plaque in a coronary artery. Without oxygen-rich blood, that part of the heart muscle starts to get injured and can die.
Common warning signs
Chest pressure, tightness, or pain (often described as squeezing)
Pain spreading to the arm, neck, jaw, or back
Shortness of breath
Nausea, sweating, lightheadedness
(Symptoms can be milder or different in women, older adults, and people with diabetes.)
Why it’s an emergency
The longer the blockage lasts, the more heart muscle is permanently damaged. Fast treatment saves heart muscle and lives.
PREVENTION IS POWERFUL