Heart Attack

OVERVIEW

What Is a Heart Attack?

A heart attack happens when blood flow to part of the heart becomes blocked. The heart muscle needs a steady supply of blood and oxygen to work properly. When that supply is reduced or stopped for too long, part of the heart muscle can become damaged.

The blood vessels that supply the heart are called coronary arteries. Over time, fatty deposits called plaque can build up inside these arteries and make them narrower. Sometimes, a plaque can break open and a blood clot forms around it, blocking the flow of blood to the heart.

A heart attack can happen suddenly, but warning signs may sometimes appear earlier. Knowing the symptoms, understanding your risk factors, and getting medical help quickly can make an important difference.

Coronary Arteries

Blood vessels that supply oxygen-rich blood to heart muscle.

Plaque Buildup

Fatty deposits narrow arteries over time, reducing blood flow.

Clot Formation

A ruptured plaque can form a clot that blocks the artery.

CAUSE

What Causes a Heart Attack?

A heart attack usually happens when one of the coronary arteries becomes blocked, interrupting blood flow to the heart muscle.

Plaque & Blood Clot

Over time, fatty deposits called plaque build up inside coronary arteries. If a plaque breaks open, a blood clot can form and partly or completely block the artery, reducing or stopping blood flow to part of the heart.

Complete Blockage

May cause a STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction)

Partial Blockage

May cause an NSTEMI (Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction)

Coronary Artery Spasm

Less commonly, a heart attack can happen when a coronary artery suddenly tightens or goes into spasm, reducing blood flow to the heart even without plaque buildup.

Risk Factors: Smoking and certain illicit drugs can increase the risk.of this type of coronary spasm.

The type of blockage can influence how the heart attack is diagnosed and treated — making timely medical assessment essential.

KNOW YOUR RISK

Who May Be at Higher Risk?

Understanding your personal risk factors is an important first step in protecting your heart health.

Family History

Having a close family member who has had a heart attack or heart disease may increase your own risk, especially if heart disease ran in the family at a younger age. If someone experiences a heart attack before the age of 50, their immediate family members may also have a higher risk.

Lifestyle Factors

Smoking, physical inactivity, an unhealthy diet, excess weight and long-term stress can all increase the risk. Making healthier lifestyle choices—staying active, eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco and managing stress—can help reduce overall heart risk.

Health Conditions

High blood pressure can damage artery walls, while high cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup. Diabetes can also affect blood vessels and increase coronary artery disease risk. Metabolic syndrome, combining several risk factors, can further increase heart attack risk.

Other Factors

Risk generally increases with age. Certain autoimmune conditions and pregnancy-related problems such as preeclampsia may also be linked to future heart disease. Stimulant drugs such as cocaine can suddenly narrow the coronary arteries and may trigger a heart attack.

Warning Signs

Know the Warning Signs

Chest Discomfort

Chest pressure, tightness, squeezing, heaviness or pain that may be constant or come and go.

Pressure or tightness
Squeezing or heaviness
Pain that is constant or intermittent
Does not improve with position change

Breathing Changes

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, even at rest or with minimal activity.

Shortness of breath at rest
Difficulty breathing
Breathlessness with mild exertion
May occur without chest pain

Pain That Spreads

Discomfort may spread to the arm, shoulder, neck, jaw or back—a key heart attack warning sign.

Left or right arm pain
Shoulder discomfort
Neck or jaw pain
Upper back pain

Symptoms in Women

Women may experience less typical warning signs, including unusual tiredness, shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, back, neck or jaw discomfort, and mild chest discomfort rather than severe pain.

Because symptoms can be subtle, it is important not to ignore new or unexplained symptoms.

PREVENTION

Small Steps Can Help Protect Your Heart

While not every heart attack can be prevented, healthy everyday choices and better management of key health conditions can help reduce your risk and support long-term heart health.

Regular health check-ups can also help identify and manage risk factors early.

Choose Heart-Healthy Habits

Avoid smoking, eat a balanced diet, stay physically active and aim for enough good-quality sleep.

Manage Your Health

Keep diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol under control, and work toward maintaining a healthy body weight.

Look After Your Wellbeing

Limit alcohol, reduce stress where possible and learn healthy ways to manage stress in everyday life.

KNOW THE DIFFERENCE

Heart Attack or Cardiac Arrest?

Heart Attack

Cardiac Arrest

Affects The Blood Flow To The Heart

Affects The Heart's Ability To Pump Blood

Chest Pressure, Pain, Shortness Of Breath, Sweating, Nausea, Or Pain Spreading To Arm, Jaw, Back Or Neck

Sudden Collapse, Loss Of Consciousness, No Response, And Abnormal Or Absent Breathing

The Person Is Often Conscious And Breathing

The Person Is Usually Unconscious And Not Breathing Normally

Can Sometimes Lead To Cardiac Arrest

May Occur As A Complication Of A Heart Attack

Needs Immediate Emergency Care

Needs Immediate Emergency Care And CPR If Appropriate

DIAGNOSIS

How Is a Heart Attack Diagnosed?

If a heart attack is suspected, doctors use your symptoms, medical history and important tests to understand what is happening and decide the right next steps.

ECG

ECG / EKG

Checks the heart's electrical activity and may show changes caused by a heart attack.

LAB

Blood Tests

Look for markers in the blood that may indicate damage to the heart muscle.

ECHO

Echocardiogram

Uses ultrasound to show how well the heart is working and identify affected areas.

ANGIO

Angiogram

Helps doctors identify where the coronary arteries may be narrowed or blocked.

Meril in Diagnostics

Meril's Diagnostics division develops in-vitro diagnostic solutions designed to support healthcare professionals across laboratory and point-of-care settings, with a focus on precision, reliability and accessibility.Meril develops in-vitro diagnostic solutions focused on precision, reliability and accessibility.

Explore Meril Diagnostics

TREATMENT

How Is a Heart Attack Treated?

Treatment depends on the type and severity of the heart attack. The main goal is to restore blood flow to the heart as quickly as possible.

01.

Emergency Care

Immediate care may include CPR or defibrillation if cardiac arrest occurs alongside a heart attack.

02.

Medicines

Antiplatelet, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, or statins may be prescribed as needed.

03.

Angioplasty / PCI

A balloon catheter opens the narrowed artery, followed by stent placement when needed.

04.

Coronary Stenting

A small mesh-like stent may be placed inside the artery during PCI to help maintain blood flow.

05.

Bypass Surgery – CABG

Bypass surgery creates a new blood-flow route around severe or complex coronary blockages.

Meril in Cardiac Care

Meril Technologies in Heart Attack Care

A range of cardiovascular technologies designed to support healthcare professionals across coronary intervention, cardiac surgery, and advanced cardiac support.

Coronary Balloon Technologies

•Mozec™ Rx PTCA
•Mozec™ NC PTCA
•Mozec™ SEB

Coronary Balloon Technologies

•Mozec™ Rx PTCA
•Mozec™ NC PTCA
•Mozec™ SEB

Coronary Balloon Technologies

•Mozec™ Rx PTCA
•Mozec™ NC PTCA
•Mozec™ SEB

Coronary Balloon Technologies

•Mozec™ Rx PTCA
•Mozec™ NC PTCA
•Mozec™ SEB

Aftercare

Caring for Your Heart After a Heart Attack

Healthy everyday habits can support recovery and help lower the risk of future heart problems.

Download Patient Resource

Eat for Heart Health

Work with your healthcare team and make steady, heart-healthy choices that support recovery.

Choose a balanced diet with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and nutritious foods, while limiting salt, unhealthy fats, and added sugar.

Avoid Smoking

Work with your healthcare team and make steady, heart-healthy choices that support recovery.

If you smoke or use tobacco, stopping is one of the most important steps you can take for your heart. Ask your healthcare team for support if needed.

Prioritise Good Sleep

Work with your healthcare team and make steady, heart-healthy choices that support recovery.

Getting enough quality sleep supports overall health and recovery. Try to maintain a regular sleep routine and speak with your doctor if facing sleep problems.

Manage Stress

Work with your healthcare team and make steady, heart-healthy choices that support recovery.

Stress after a heart attack can be managed with gentle activity, relaxation, support from loved ones, and professional help.

Recovery Support

Know When to Get Help

When to Contact Your Doctor

During recovery, contact your doctor if you notice:

Unusual tiredness
Increasing shortness of breath
Swelling in the legs or feet
Dizziness
A rapid or irregular heartbeat
Symptoms affecting daily activities

When to Seek Urgent Medical Help

Seek emergency medical attention immediately if you develop:

New or severe chest pain or pressure
Sudden shortness of breath
Fainting
Severe sweating
Pain spreading to the arm, jaw, back, or neck

Do not wait for these symptoms to improve on their own.

F A Q

Frequently Asked Questions

Find quick answers on Meril's heart valves, therapies, and clinical data