Heart attack symptoms: Six early signs of the deadly condition you need to know

Heart attacks occurs when the supply of blood to the heart is suddenly blocked. A lack of blood to the heart may seriously damage the heart muscles and can prove deadly. While everyone is being advised to stay at home during coronavirus lockdown, people are still being urged to get medical help and to call 999 if they suspect something is seriously wrong.

He adds: “Anybody – young or old, male or female – can experience these subtle signs, though it’s more common in women.”

What should you do if you or someone else suspects a heart attack?

The first thing you should do is call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

While waiting for an ambulance, the NHS says it may help to chew and then swallow a tablet of aspirin (ideally 300mg), as long as the person having a heart attack is not allergic to aspirin.

The health body advises: “Aspirin helps to thin the blood and improves blood flow to the heart.

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“In hospital, treatment for a heart attack depends on how serious it is.”

The two main treatments are using medicines to dissolve blood clots and surgery to help restore blood to the heart.

How to prevent a heart attack

Most heart attacks are caused by coronavirus heart disease, which is where the coronary arteries become narrowed by a gradual build-=up of fatty deposits known as atheroma.

Other less common causes include spontaneous coronary artery dissection, drug misuse and hypoxia.