Medically reviewed by Nachiket J. Patel, MD, FACC, FSCAI. Last reviewed July 2026.
A heart attack happens when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is suddenly blocked. Without prompt treatment, the affected muscle can be permanently damaged.
The symptoms are not always dramatic. Some people feel crushing pressure, while others notice burning, unusual fatigue, breathlessness, nausea, or discomfort outside the chest. Waiting to see whether symptoms pass can cost valuable time.
Flow Heart & Vascular is an outpatient practice. It does not replace an emergency department for a possible heart attack. If symptoms may represent a heart attack, call 911 now.
What causes a heart attack?
Most heart attacks begin with coronary artery disease. A plaque in a heart artery becomes unstable or ruptures, and a blood clot forms at that site. The clot can partially or completely stop blood flow.
Less commonly, a heart attack can result from severe artery spasm, a spontaneous tear in a coronary artery, or another problem that disrupts blood supply. The hospital team determines the cause because treatment is not identical in every case.
What are the warning signs?
Chest pressure or discomfort is common, but people use many words to describe it. The feeling may be squeezing, heaviness, tightness, fullness, burning, or simply something that feels wrong.
- Chest discomfort lasting more than a few minutes or returning repeatedly
- Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or upper abdomen
- Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
- Cold sweat, nausea, or vomiting
- Sudden weakness, lightheadedness, or faintness
- An abrupt and unexplained loss of stamina
Do women and people with diabetes have different symptoms?
Anyone can have classic chest pressure. Women, older adults, and people with diabetes may also have symptoms that are easier to mistake for another problem, including fatigue, breathlessness, back or jaw discomfort, nausea, or sleep disturbance.
Atypical does not mean harmless. A new cluster of symptoms, especially in someone with cardiovascular risk factors, deserves urgent attention.
What should I do if a heart attack is possible?
Call 911 immediately. Emergency medical personnel can begin evaluation and treatment on the way to the hospital and alert the receiving team. Do not drive yourself and do not delay care to call an outpatient office first.
Follow instructions from the 911 dispatcher. Medication advice cannot be safely generalized because allergies, bleeding risk, and other conditions differ from person to person.
How is a heart attack diagnosed and treated in the hospital?
An electrocardiogram and serial blood tests for heart-muscle injury are central to the diagnosis. Echocardiography, coronary angiography, or other imaging may be used depending on the findings.
Treatment may include medicines that prevent or treat clotting and a catheter procedure to reopen a blocked artery. Some patients need bypass surgery or treatment for a different cause of heart injury.
The details matter. The type of heart attack, the involved artery, bleeding risk, kidney function, and timing of symptoms all influence the plan.
What happens after hospital discharge?
Follow-up focuses on healing and preventing another event. The plan often includes medication review, cholesterol and blood-pressure treatment, tobacco cessation, cardiac rehabilitation, activity guidance, and attention to diabetes or sleep apnea.
Do not stop aspirin, clopidogrel, ticagrelor, prasugrel, or another prescribed antiplatelet medicine without speaking with the treating cardiology team. Stopping one too soon after a stent can be dangerous.
At a scheduled visit, Dr. Patel can review the hospital records, explain the procedure and heart function, address ongoing symptoms, and build a longer-term prevention plan.
Frequently asked questions
Can heart attack symptoms come and go?
Yes. Symptoms may ease and return. Recurrent chest pressure or another concerning symptom still requires emergency evaluation.
Is heartburn easy to distinguish from a heart attack?
Not always. Burning or indigestion-like discomfort can occur with heart disease. New or concerning symptoms should not be diagnosed at home.
When should I schedule cardiology follow-up after a heart attack?
Follow the discharge plan from the hospital. If no appointment was arranged, contact the treating team promptly so medication, activity, and rehabilitation plans are not interrupted.
Related heart and vascular information
Non-urgent follow-up at Flow Heart & Vascular
For a stable concern or follow-up after emergency or hospital care, contact Flow Heart & Vascular in Mesa. Call 911 for new or worsening emergency symptoms.
This page provides general education and does not replace individualized medical advice.
