Ambulance 912HAP 9252
Back to all symptoms and conditions
General health information

Heart attack

A heart attack usually occurs when a coronary artery suddenly becomes blocked, leaving part of the heart muscle short of oxygen. It often causes chest pressure or pain, breathlessness, sweating, nausea or pain spreading to other areas, but symptoms can also be less typical. If you suspect a heart attack, do not wait: call Ambulance 912 immediately and do not drive yourself.

In this article
Choose which sections to read

  • A heart attack involves a sudden interruption or severe obstruction of the blood supply to part of the heart muscle.
  • The sooner treatment starts, the better the chance of limiting permanent damage.
  • The best-known symptom is chest pressure or pain, but symptoms can also be less typical.
  • If you are unsure whether it could be a heart attack, call Ambulance 912 immediately.
  • Do not drive yourself or wait to see whether it goes away on its own.

Your response

Two anonymous questions

Did you find what you were looking for?

Do you now have a clearer idea of your next step?

Share article

Email

Do you need a healthcare provider after reading?

Search by type of care, organisation, name or district.

Further reading

Browse A–Z
B
Brain aneurysmA brain aneurysm is a bulge in an artery in or around the brain. Many aneurysms cause no symptoms, but rupture often causes a sudden, unprecedentedly severe headache and can become life-threatening within minutes. Call Ambulance 912 immediately and do not drive yourself.
A
AnginaAngina, also called angina pectoris, is chest pain or pressure caused by the heart muscle temporarily receiving too little oxygen, usually because of narrowed coronary arteries. Stable angina occurs predictably with exercise or stress and settles with rest. New pain at rest, symptoms that are worsening more quickly or an episode that feels different may mean unstable angina or a heart attack and need urgent help.
C
Chest painChest pain often comes from muscles, acid reflux or stress, but can also indicate a heart attack, pulmonary embolism, collapsed lung or tear in the aorta. New pressure-like pain with breathlessness or feeling ill needs immediate assessment.