--- title: "Heart attack: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment | HealthAnswers" description: "How to recognise a heart attack — symptoms in men and women, what to do in an emergency, and reducing your risk." url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/heart-attack/ robots: noindex --- # Heart attack: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment | HealthAnswers Health A–Z How to recognise a heart attack — symptoms in men and women, what to do in an emergency, and reducing your risk. Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) Reviewed 3 July 2026 ## Quick answer What is heart attack? A heart attack happens when blood flow to the heart muscle is blocked, usually by a clot. Call 999 immediately for sudden chest pain, pressure or tightness that may spread to the arm, jaw or back, especially with sweating, nausea or breathlessness. Chew aspirin 300mg if available and not allergic — while waiting for the ambulance. ## Who is this page for? This page is for people in the UK who want a plain-English overview of Heart attack, including when to seek help and what NHS care usually involves. It explains general information, not what is wrong with you personally. ## Who should skip this page? Skip this page if you need a diagnosis, a prescription, or emergency care. It cannot replace a GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 or 999. If you are in immediate danger, call 999; for urgent advice that is not life-threatening, call 111 in England, Scotland or Wales, or use your GP out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland. On this page 7 sections ## Key facts about heart attack - Heart attack is a medical emergency — call 999, do not drive yourself to hospital. - Chest pain or pressure is the most common symptom, but not everyone gets it. - Women may have less typical symptoms — nausea, back pain, extreme fatigue. - Chewing 300mg aspirin helps if you are not allergic and have no reason to avoid it. - High blood pressure, smoking, diabetes and high cholesterol are major risk factors. ## A heart attack is an emergency A heart attack (myocardial infarction) happens when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is suddenly blocked, usually by a blood clot in a coronary artery. Without oxygen, heart muscle begins to die. **Calling 999 immediately** gives the best chance of survival and limits permanent damage. ## Symptoms to recognise The classic symptom is sudden **chest pain, pressure or tightness** — but symptoms vary: - chest pain spreading to the left arm , jaw, neck or back - feeling sick or vomiting - sweating — a cold, clammy feeling - sudden breathlessness - overwhelming sense of anxiety or doom - feeling very unwell without obvious explanation **Women** may experience less typical symptoms — back pain, jaw pain, nausea, indigestion-like discomfort, or extreme fatigue without clear chest pain. Do not dismiss symptoms because they do not match the “classic” picture. Symptoms usually last more than a few minutes and may not improve with rest. ## What to do — call 999 - Call 999 — say you suspect a heart attack - Keep the person calm — sitting upright is often most comfortable - Chew 300mg aspirin if available, the person is conscious, not allergic, and has no serious bleeding risk or history of being told to avoid aspirin - Do not drive to hospital unless absolutely no alternative — ambulance staff can start treatment en route If the person becomes unconscious and is not breathing normally, start CPR and use a defibrillator if available. ## What happens in hospital Emergency treatment aims to restore blood flow — clot-busting drugs, angioplasty (opening the blocked artery with a balloon and stent), and medicines to protect the heart. Most people survive heart attacks, especially with fast treatment. Recovery includes cardiac rehabilitation — exercise, education and support. ## Heart attack vs angina **Angina** is chest pain from reduced blood flow that typically comes on with exertion and eases with rest or GTN spray. **Heart attack** pain is usually more severe, lasts longer, and may not settle with rest. When in doubt, call 999. ## Reducing your risk Major risk factors include **high blood pressure**, **high cholesterol**, **smoking**, **diabetes**, obesity, and family history. You can reduce risk by: - stopping smoking - taking prescribed statins and blood pressure medicines - eating a heart-healthy diet — less saturated fat, salt and processed food - regular physical activity - maintaining a healthy weight - limiting alcohol NHS Health Checks identify cardiovascular risk from age 40 in England. ## After a heart attack Life after a heart attack involves medicines, lifestyle changes, and cardiac rehabilitation. Many people return to normal activities. Emotional responses — fear, low mood — are common and treatable. Speak to your GP or cardiac team about support. ## ! When to see a GP about heart attack Call **999 immediately** if you think you or someone else is having a heart attack — every minute matters. Do not wait to see if pain settles. See a GP promptly for new chest pain on exertion, unexplained breathlessness, or if you have risk factors — prevention and early treatment of angina reduce heart attack risk. ## Common questions about heart attack What does a heart attack feel like? Sudden chest pain, pressure, heaviness or tightness — often described as an elephant on the chest. Pain may spread to the left arm, jaw, neck or back. Other symptoms include sweating, nausea, breathlessness and feeling suddenly very unwell. Some people — especially women — have milder or different symptoms. What should I do if I think someone is having a heart attack? Call 999 immediately. Keep them sitting and calm. If they are not allergic to aspirin and have no bleeding problems, give 300mg aspirin to chew (not swallow whole) unless they have been told to avoid it. Do not leave them alone. Are heart attack symptoms different in women? Women can have classic chest pain, but are more likely than men to experience nausea, indigestion-like pain, back or jaw pain, extreme fatigue, or breathlessness without obvious chest pain. Unusual sudden symptoms in someone at risk should be treated seriously. What is the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest? A heart attack is blocked blood flow to heart muscle — the heart usually keeps beating. Cardiac arrest is when the heart stops pumping effectively — the person collapses unconscious and needs CPR and a defibrillator immediately. A heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest. How can I reduce my heart attack risk? Stop smoking, control blood pressure and cholesterol, manage diabetes, maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, and limit alcohol. Take prescribed medicines such as statins and blood pressure tablets as directed. ## Sources - [NHS — Heart attack](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heart-attack/) - [British Heart Foundation — Heart attack signs](https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/heart-attack)