A heart attack occurs when the arteries that supply your heart muscle with oxygen-rich blood (called the coronary arteries) are blocked. The part of the heart muscle that receives the blood from this artery becomes starved for oxygen. When this occurs, the heart muscle cells can die, causing permanent damage to your heart.
Symptoms can include:
- Chest discomfort (pain, tightness, pressure, squeezing)
- Sweating
- Upper body discomfort (jaw, shoulders, arms, back)
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath
- Light-headedness