According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 805,000 people in the U.S. have a heart attack each year. Medically known as a myocardial infarction, a heart attack occurs when the blood flow to the heart becomes blocked and can be life-threatening. Many people think a heart attack occurs quickly and only lasts a few minutes. That may be the case for mild heart attacks, but other types can last for hours and even a full day.
Let's talk more about what exactly a heart attack is, symptoms to watch out for, what to do if you think you’re having a heart attack, how long a heart attack lasts and some prevention tips.
How Long Does a Heart Attack Last?
How long a heart attack, or myocardial infarction, lasts depends on the type of heart attack you're having and your overall health:
- A mild heart attack, where blood flow to the heart is not completely blocked, generally lasts for a few minutes.
- A moderate heart attack, or mini heart attack, is a more serious condition that can last for a few hours.
- A massive heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is totally blocked, and can last anywhere from a few hours to a full day if not treated.
Most people think that a heart attack always lasts for a few minutes, which is not the case. Research shows that once blood and oxygen are cut off from the heart, you have about 30 minutes to get treatment before you experience irreversible damage to your heart and other organs. That’s why it's so important to know the symptoms of a heart attack so you can act quickly.
What Happens During a Heart Attack?
In the most basic terms, a heart attack happens when blood flow to the heart is blocked in some way, preventing blood and oxygen from getting to the heart.
Most heart attacks occur when cholesterol-driven plaque builds up on the inside walls of the coronary arteries, known as atherosclerosis. This buildup can form a blockage, stopping blood from flowing to the heart.
Heart attacks can also be caused by blood clots that form in the coronary arteries, or a coronary artery spasm, where the artery suddenly narrows.
When blood is stopped from entering the heart, it also stops the heart from getting much-needed oxygen. As the blood flow remains closed off, the heart muscle begins to die.
Symptoms of a Heart Attack
When thinking about how long a heart attack lasts, its duration and trajectory of your recovery can be affected by familiarizing yourself with the warning signs and symptoms of a myocardial infarction so you can take the right actions. Symptoms include:
- Chest pain or discomfort — feels like the chest is tight or being squeezed, normally in the center or left side of the chest, lasts between three and five minutes, can come and go
- Extreme fatigue
- Diaphoresis (breaking into a cold sweat)
- Indigestion
- Irregular heartbeat
- Lightheadedness
- Nausea
- Pain in other areas of the upper body, including the arms, back, jaw, shoulders and neck
- Shortness of breath
- Vomiting
Depending on the type of heart attack, these symptoms can last for a few minutes to a few hours. The general rule of thumb is that if chest pain lasts for 15 minutes or longer, along with any of these other symptoms, chances are you might be having a heart attack.
Immediate Steps to Take if You Think You’re Experiencing a Heart Attack
Now that you have a better idea of heart attack symptoms and how long a heart attack lasts, let's talk about what to do if you think you or a loved one is having a myocardial infarction.
If you suspect you're having a heart attack, follow these steps:
Step 1: Call 911 — Every minute counts during a heart attack, so don’t delay to call 911. Paramedics can immediately administer medications and get you to the hospital quicker than a family member or friend.
Step 2: Take aspirin — Chewing one adult uncoated aspirin or four baby aspirin can help thin the blood and stop more clots from forming.
Step 3: Take your prescribed nitroglycerin — If you have a prescription for nitroglycerin, which is used to treat and prevent chest pain from coronary artery disease, take it as you wait for paramedics to arrive.
Step 4: Loosen any tight clothing you may have on, such as a belt or buttoned collar around your neck.
Step 5: Sit or lie down and do your best to stay calm.
If you’re with someone who may be having a heart attack, try to find an automated external defibrillator (AED) nearby in case the person loses consciousness. You should also be prepared to perform CPR until paramedics arrive.
What Is a “Silent” Heart Attack?
Some heart attacks occur without causing any chest pain — this is known as a "silent heart attack.” This type of heart attack is usually caused by coronary artery disease, which limits the amount of blood flowing to the heart.
Silent heart attacks usually have very mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. However, a silent heart attack can still cause as much damage to the heart as a regular heart attack, so it's important to familiarize yourself with the common symptoms of a silent heart attack, which include:
- Ache in the arms, upper back or jaw
- Chest discomfort
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Flu-like symptoms
- Indigestion
- Nausea
- Soreness in the chest or upper back
- Sweating
If you believe you're having a silent heart attack, it should still be treated as an emergency — call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room for treatment.
How Long Does It Take to Recover From a Heart Attack?
Recovery from a heart attack can take a few weeks to a few months; it depends on factors like the severity of your heart attack, how long your heart attack lasts, your overall health and how quickly you received treatment.
The first 90 days after experiencing a heart attack are the most important to address and treat what caused the heart attack, and make healthy lifestyle changes to help lower your risk for a secondary heart attack and other health complications.
During those first 90 days, make sure to:
- See your primary care physician (PCP) or cardiologist within six weeks of your heart attack.
- Take any medications that are prescribed — not taking your medications can increase your risk for another myocardial infarction or health complications.
- Start a cardiac rehabilitation program to assist you physically and emotionally during your recovery.
- Embrace healthy lifestyle choices and manage heart attack risk factors like high blood pressure and quitting smoking.
- Connect with a heart attack survivors support group to get support from those who understand what you are going through and how you're feeling.
What Are the Long-Term Implications of a Heart Attack
During a myocardial infarction, or heart attack, the muscle of the heart becomes damaged and weakened. This can lead to some health complications, including:
- Aneurysm
- Anxiety
- Brain injury
- Cardiogenic shock
- Cognitive deficits
- Coronary artery disease
- Depression
- Heart failure
- Heart rupture
- Kidney failure
- Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias)
- Pericarditis
- Peripheral artery disease
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Pulmonary embolism
- Secondary heart attack
- Stroke
Heart Attack Prevention and Risk Factors
A heart attack is a very severe health issue that can have a profound impact on the rest of your life. The best way to keep yourself safe from a myocardial infarction is by making healthy lifestyle choices to help lower your risk, such as:
- Abstaining from alcohol
- Controlling high blood pressure
- Eating a heart-healthy diet that is high in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fats, processed meats and sodium
- Getting enough physical activity
- Getting enough proper sleep
- Lowering high cholesterol
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Managing Type 2 diabetes
- Relieving stress
- Quitting smoking
It’s especially important to follow these healthy lifestyle suggestions if you are at a high risk for a heart attack do to your:
- Age: Over 45 years old in men and 55 years old in women
- Ethnicity: African Americans and Hispanic people have a higher heart attack risk
- Family history of heart disease
- Gender — men have a higher risk than women
How AdventHealth Supports Your Heart Health and Recovery
Witnessing a loved one have a heart attack, or experiencing one for yourself, can be terrifying. Especially if you or a family member is considered high risk, it's important to have a good understanding of heart attack symptoms, how long a heart attack lasts and what to do so you can get the medical care you need as quickly as possible, for the best possible outcome.
AdventHealth Emergency Care is available 24/7 with cardiovascular specialists ready to give you the immediate medical attention you need for your heart attack. Also, AdventHealth Heart and Vascular Care is here to provide you with the ongoing treatment and support you need during your recovery.
For more information on AdventHealth and how we can help, call or visit your nearest location today.
