You can take steps to prevent a heart attack
Like all the muscles in your body, your heart muscle needs oxygen to do its job. Blood brings oxygen to your heart, and when oxygen-rich blood is blocked or slowed, you can have a heart attack.
During a heart attack, a blockage or clot deprives part of the heart muscle of blood. The faster you get care, the less injury your heart experiences. Quick, comprehensive treatment can help your recovery and your return to daily life after having a heart attack.
Test your ticker
When hearts get Better, it’s a thing of beauty. And the first step to a healthier heart is knowing your risk for heart disease. Heart disease can include coronary artery disease (CAD), atrial fibrillation (AFib), heart valve disease and other conditions - all of which can make it harder for your heart to function over time.
Take the quiz and learn more about your potential heart health risks.
Symptoms of a heart attack
Angina, or chest pain, is the most common warning sign of a heart attack, but there are many other symptoms, including:
- Breaking out in a cold sweat
- Chest discomfort (pressure, squeezing or fullness that comes and goes or lasts for a few minutes or longer)
- Feeling faint, weak or unusually tired
- Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
- Nausea or vomiting
- Pain or discomfort in the arms, back, jaw, neck, shoulders or stomach
- Shortness of breath
Not all heart attacks have symptoms
These heart attacks, called silent ischemia or silent heart attacks, occur when blood flow is blocked temporarily. This temporary blockage deprives the heart muscle of oxygen for a short time.
Heart attack symptoms in women
Women can experience heart attacks differently from the way men do. While chest pain is the most common symptom in men and women, women are more likely to have these symptoms:
- Anxiety
- Arm, back, shoulder, jaw, tooth or shoulder pain
- Feeling unusually tired, sometimes for a few days before the heart attack
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
What causes a heart attack?
Heart attacks mostly occur when plaque made up of fat, cholesterol and other substances builds up inside the walls of your coronary arteries. This plaque buildup causes the arteries to narrow, and the plaque can break off, forming blood clots. Narrowed arteries and blood clots can prevent blood from reaching your heart, causing a heart attack.
The slow buildup of plaque, called atherosclerosis, can cause coronary artery disease, and coronary artery disease is the most common cause of heart attacks in adults. Unfortunately, you can’t feel plaque building up in your arteries, and a heart attack can be the first sign you have coronary artery disease.
Heart attacks can also occur when one of the coronary arteries contracts or spasms suddenly, as this interrupts blood flow. In other rare cases, the coronary artery can tear unexpectedly, which is called spontaneous coronary artery dissection.
Heart attack risk factors
Many factors increase your risk of having a heart attack, some of which you can control and some you can’t.
A healthy lifestyle and regular visits with your primary care provider can help reduce these risk factors:
- Being overweight or obese
- Eating an unhealthy diet high in salt, saturated fat and sugar
- Having prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Not getting enough physical activity
- Smoking or vaping
Women who had preeclampsia (a type of high blood pressure) during pregnancy also face a higher risk of heart attacks later in life.
The good news is that you can protect your heart regardless of your medical history, age, sex, or family history. If you have any of the risk factors above, talk to your provider about steps to improve your heart health.
Some heart attack risk factors are beyond your control
Those include:
- Age and sex: Men are at greater risk for heart attacks after age 45 and women after age 55.
- Family history of heart disease: Having a father, brother, mother or sister with heart disease at an early age (before 55 for men and 65 for women)
Diagnosing a heart attack
It’s crucial to dial 911 for medical assistance and to reach the emergency room promptly if you suspect a heart attack. Emergency medical personnel can offer initial treatments in the ambulance and will alert the hospital’s medical team that you’re on the way.
Healthcare providers can diagnose heart attacks using a physical exam, which includes checking the person’s pulse, measuring blood oxygen levels and blood pressure, and listening to heart and lung sounds. Additionally, different imaging and diagnostic tests are used:
Imaging and physiologic signal testing
Tests can be performed that show aspects of the heart structure and functionality that may indicate a heart attack. An electrocardiogram measures your heart’s electrical activity and how well it’s working. Imaging tests, including angiograms, cardiac CT scans and MRIs, provide detailed pictures of the heart to help physicians identify problematic areas and abnormalities.
Blood tests
Blood tests look for proteins released by heart muscle cells during a heart attack.
Treatments for a heart attack
Medications
Depending on the severity of your heart attack and other underlying health conditions, one or a combination of medications may be prescribed to help your recovery and manage risks and symptoms for future heart attacks.
For example, statins help reduce fatty deposits in your arteries. Beta-blockers manage blood pressure and heart rate levels. Additionally, your physician may give you medication, such as aspirin, that helps prevent blood clots and other heart attacks.
Oxygen therapy
Oxygen therapy can help increase the amount of oxygen sent to the body and reduce the workload on your heart while it recovers from a heart attack.
Surgery and procedures
- Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a procedure in which a balloon is inserted into the blocked or narrowed artery and inflated to restore blood flow to the heart.
- A stent, a small mesh tube, can also be placed into the blocked artery to keep it open and help restore blood flow to the heart.
- Coronary artery bypass grafting, commonly known as heart bypass surgery, diverts blood around narrowed or clogged parts of the major arteries to improve blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart.
Cardiac rehabilitation
Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program that involves exercises to strengthen your heart and education to help you adopt healthy lifestyle habits. Cardiac rehab can protect your heart from future heart attacks as well as future complications, such as heart failure and arrhythmias.
Find a location near you
Our cardiologists are dedicated to helping you recover from a heart attack as quickly and thoroughly as possible. You have access to high-quality emergency and follow-up heart care at locations across North and Central Texas, so you can get back in action and protect your heart for the long term.
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Cardiology Consultants of Texas - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Texas Cardiac Associates - Royse City
6257 FM 2642 Blvd Ste 100, Royse City, TX, 75189
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital - McKinney
5268 W University Dr , McKinney, TX, 75071
Baylor Scott & White Legacy Heart Center - McKinney
5236 W University Dr Ste 4100, McKinney, TX, 75071
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Group - McKinney
5236 W University Dr Ste 4450, McKinney, TX, 75071
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 7:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - McKinney
5252 W University Dr Highway 380 at Lake Forest Drive, McKinney, TX, 75071
Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Specialists - Rockwall
6705 Heritage Pkwy Ste 202, Rockwall, TX, 75087
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Lake Pointe
6800 Scenic Dr , Rowlett, TX, 75088
Baylor Scott & White Legacy Heart Center - Prosper
111 S Preston Rd Ste 10, Prosper, TX, 75078
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Group - Prosper
111 S Preston Rd Ste 10, Prosper, TX, 75078
Baylor Scott & White Texas Cardiac Associates - Rowlett
7801 Lakeview Pkwy Ste 100, Rowlett, TX, 75088
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Denton Heart Group - Gainesville
201 N Interstate 35 Ste 140, Gainesville, TX, 76240
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Group – Frisco at PGA Parkway II
16050 Everwell Ln Ste 200, Frisco, TX, 75033
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Group - Frisco
4461 Coit Rd Ste 101, Frisco, TX, 75035
- Monday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Centennial
12505 Lebanon Rd , Frisco, TX, 75035
Baylor Scott & White Legacy Heart Center - Garland
7217 Telecom Pkwy Ste 205, Garland, TX, 75044
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Texas Cardiac Associates - Forney
763 E US Hwy 80 Ste 240, Forney, TX, 75126
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Legacy Heart Center - Frisco
9990 Dallas Pkwy Ste 100, Frisco, TX, 75033
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Consultants at The Star
3800 Gaylord Pkwy Ste 910, Frisco, TX, 75034
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Legacy Heart Center - Plano Preston Road
6601 Preston Rd , Plano, TX, 75024
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Legacy Heart Center - Plano Spring Creek Parkway
5655 W Spring Creek Pkwy Ste 155, Plano, TX, 75024
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Sunnyvale
231 S Collins Rd , Sunnyvale, TX, 75182
Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Consultants - Plano
6000 W Spring Creek Pkwy Ste 220, Plano, TX, 75024
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiology Consultants of Texas - Mesquite
1575 Interstate 30 , Mesquite, TX, 75150
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital - Plano
1100 Allied Dr , Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Group - Frisco at Plano
4708 Alliance Blvd Ste 450, Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Group - Plano
4708 Alliance Blvd Pavilion I, Ste 465, Plano, TX, 75093
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Consultants - Plano II
4708 Alliance Blvd Pavilion I, Ste 450 , Plano, TX, 75093
- Monday: 8:30 am - 4:45 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 4:45 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 4:45 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:45 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:45 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Specialists - Mesquite
5308 N Galloway Ave Ste 201, Mesquite, TX, 75150
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital Heart Rhythm Center - Plano
4716 Alliance Blvd Pavilion II, Ste 300, Plano, TX, 75093
Global Heart Health Center
4716 Alliance Blvd Pavilion II, Ste 300, Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital Aortic Center - Plano
4716 Alliance Blvd Pavilion II, Ste 300, Plano, TX, 75093
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital Genetics Center - Plano
4716 Alliance Blvd Pavilion II, Ste 350, Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Plano
4700 Alliance Blvd , Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Group - Castle Hills
1700 FM 544 Ste 200, Lewisville, TX, 75056
Baylor Scott & White Cardiology Consultants of Texas - Park Cities
9101 N Central Expy Ste 250, Dallas, TX, 75231
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Consultants - Denton
3333 Colorado Blvd , Denton, TX, 76210
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Denton Heart Group
3333 Colorado Blvd , Denton, TX, 76210
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital - Denton
2801 S Mayhill Rd , Denton, TX, 76208
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital Cardiovascular Clinic - Denton
3341 Unicorn Lake Blvd , Denton, TX, 76210
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor University Medical Center, part of Baylor Scott & White Health
3500 Gaston Ave , Dallas, TX, 75246
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Dallas
3410 Worth St Ste 250, Dallas, TX, 75246
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiology Consultants of Texas - Dallas
621 N Hall St Ste 500, Dallas, TX, 75226
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Monday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Soltero Cardiovascular Research Center
621 N Hall St Ste 530, Dallas, TX, 75226
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital - Dallas
621 N Hall St , Dallas, TX, 75226
Baylor Scott & White Cardiac Surgery - Dallas
621 N Hall St Ste 120, Dallas, TX, 75226
- Monday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Consultants - Highland Village
1401 Shoal Creek Ste 240, Highland Village, TX, 75077
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiothoracic Surgery - Irving
1110 Cottonwood Ln Ste 215, Irving, TX, 75038
- Monday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Frequently asked questions
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If my genetics increase my risk for atherosclerosis and heart disease, is there anything I can do to avoid a heart attack?
Yes. Studies have shown that certain medications and healthy lifestyle changes can lower your heart attack risk to that of an average-risk individual, even if you are genetically predisposed to heart disease.
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Should I take a statin or daily aspirin to prevent a heart attack if I haven’t had one?
You should talk to your doctor to see if those medications would be appropriate and help reduce your risk. Those medications can be beneficial for some people but not everyone. Lifestyle changes should always be the cornerstone of prevention.
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Will I always be on medications after a heart attack?
You may need to take certain medications, such as aspirin and cholesterol medication, long term, but the other medications can be weaned off if you adopt healthier habits and make the right lifestyle changes.