what happens when you have a heart attack

When you have a heart attack, the flow of blood to the heart is severely reduced or blocked, usually due to a buildup of fat, cholesterol, and other substances in the heart. This can lead to symptoms such as chest pain, discomfort in the arms, shoulders, back, neck, or jaw, cold sweat, fatigue, heartburn, lightheadedness, sudden dizziness, nausea, and shortness of breath. A heart attack can cause permanent heart damage and even death if blood flow isnt restored quickly. The heart muscle that has lost blood supply begins to suffer injury, and the amount of damage depends on the size of the area supplied by the blocked artery and the time between injury and treatment. It usually takes several weeks for the heart muscle to heal, and the extent of damage can affect how well the heart pumps blood throughout the body. In some cases, a heart attack may require cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or an electrical shock (defibrillation) to get the heart pumping again. If you suspect you or someone youre with is having a heart attack, its crucial to call 911 or your local emergency services phone number immediately, as time is critical in treating a heart attack, and a delay of even a few minutes can result in permanent heart damage or death.