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

What is a heart attack?

A heart attack or myocardial infarction occurs when one or more parts of the heart muscle is not supplied with sufficient oxygen-rich blood due to a blockage of the blood flow to the heart muscle. This is caused by a clogged artery, which stops oxygenated blood from reaching a part of the heart.

Clogged or blocked artery is caused by atherosclerosis, a condition that occurs when plaque, a sticky substance is accumulated and formed inside the arteries over time due to fats, cholesterol deposits, calcium, and blood cells.

When the plaque is ruptured, it causes clot formation that leads to blockages. As a result, the heart muscles are deprived from oxygen and nutrients and start to die, thus causing a heart attack.

What are the warning signs and symptoms of a heart attack?

1. Chest pain or discomfort, which involves a stabbing, aching sensation in the centre of the chest that is persistent or worsens over time. It cannot be relieved by rest as well.
2. Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or backs. The pain may spread to the left jaw, left shoulder, or left arm.
3. Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
4. Cold sweat, light headedness, or feeling faint

Learn more about the diagnosis and treatment options for a heart attack.

In case of an emergency, call the Accident & Emergency or Ambulance Service at Pantai Hospitals immediately when you suspect someone is having a heart attack.

What is a cardiac arrest?

A cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is different from a heart attack.

Sudden cardiac arrest, which is a sudden loss of heart function, breathing and responsiveness, can happen unexpectedly and typically without warning. It is caused by an electrical disruption in the heart which leads to erratic heartbeats (arrhythmia).

This condition is a medical emergency because the heart would be unable to pump blood to the lungs, brains, and other organs in the body. It can lead to death if not treated immediately.

What are the warning signs and symptoms of a cardiac arrest?

1. Sudden loss of responsiveness or consciousness
2. No pulse, no breathing

Some other symptoms that may occur before sudden cardiac arrest include chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations.

Call the Accident & Emergency or Ambulance Service at Pantai Hospitals immediately. If you are trained in performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), continue giving compressions to the chest until emergency service is available.

What is a stroke?

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel within the brain gets obstructed by a plaque or a clot or if it bursts. This causes part of the brain tissues to die due to lack of oxygen and nutrients, resulting in memory loss and impairment.

When there is a blood clot in the carotid artery that supplies blood to the brain due to the build-up of plaque, blood circulation is cut off, leading to a stroke.

What are the warning signs and symptoms of a stroke?

1. Sudden numbness, tingling or weakness on one side of the body, face, arm, or leg. Look out for the one-side face droop or numbness. The person may not be able to raise up his/her arm too.
2. Sudden trouble or difficulty in talking or even understanding a normal conversation. The person may be slurring or could not repeat simple sentence.
3. Sudden confusion.
4. Sudden change in vision.
5. Sudden loss of balance or coordination.
6. Sudden severe headache

Learn more about the diagnosis and treatment options for a stroke.

Call the Accident & Emergency or Ambulance Service at Pantai Hospitals immediately when you suspect someone is having a stroke.

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 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]