Heart attack

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Acute MI	Anterior heart arteries	Heart, front view	Heart, section through the middle
Heart attack symptoms	Posterior heart arteries	Post myocardial infarction ECG wave tracings	Progressive build-up of plaque in coronary artery

Approximately one-third of cases are fatal. If the person is alive 2 hours after an attack, the probable outcome for survival is good, but may include complications.

Uncomplicated cases may recover fully; heart attacks are not necessarily disabling. Usually the person can gradually resume normal activity and lifestyle, including sexual activity.

• Arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, heart blocks
• Congestive heart failure
• Cardiogenic shock
• Infarct extension: extension of the amount of affected heart tissue
• Pericarditis (inflammation around the lining of the heart)
• Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs)
• Complications of treatment (For example, thrombolytic agents increases the risk of bleeding.)

Call your local emergency number (such as 911) if crushing chest pain or other symptoms suggestive of heart attack occur.

Review Date: 11/14/2005
Reviewed By: Steven Kang, MD, Division of Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology, Cardiovascular Consultants Medical Group, Oakland, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.