It is not always easy to tell, but there are symptoms you may have: pain and pressure in the centre of the chest, which feels tight like its squeezing you, lasting for more than a few minutes, pain in the left arm or sometimes both. Also pain in the back, neck and jaw. You may also experience shortness of breath, sweating, nausea and light headedness. Even if in doubt, ring 999.

If you think you are having symptoms of a heart attack, call emergency services immediately, do not wait for them to ease.

Firstly, an ECG (electrocardiogram) will be done. This measures the electrical activity of the heart and can detect any abnormalities. It will show if and where damage has occurred in the heart. Next, a blood test will be taken to detect cardiac enzymes that are released from heart muscles when it is damaged. This test will show if you are having a heart attack and will show the severity of it. Other tests may be done such as an angiogram or an echocardiogram. Once an MI has been diagnosed, treatment will begin immediately.

The first thing you will be given as soon as the MI is confirmed is aspirin. Aspirin reduces the formation of blood clots by reducing the stickiness of platelets. Other antiplatelet drugs may also be given. Pain relief will be given to make you more comfortable. To remove the blockage in the coronary artery and restore blood flow, one of two procedures will be used. Angioplasty is the best method. In this procedure, a wire with a balloon on the end is put into a large artery (e.g. the groin) and passed up to the occluded coronary artery; here the balloon is blown up opening the artery and allowing blood flow. Although angioplasty is the best method, clot busting drugs are quick. These drugs break down blood clots occluding arteries.

A part of the heart muscle can die due to lack of oxygen. This muscle will be replaced by a collagen scar. This injured heart tissue conducts electrical impulses slower so the contracting and pumping ability of the heart will be lessened. This can lead to life threatening arrhythmias and possible aneurysms.

Yes as heart muscle tissue will die.

You will be able to go back to normal life but the transition will be slow. You should undertake regular exercise but not strenuous activities. Exercise needs to be built up gradually. The amount of exercise you can do will depend on the severity of the heart attack. A patient is usually allowed to go back to work soon after discharge from the hospital but again it depends on the size of the MI and also on the demand of the job. Driving can be resumed 2-4 weeks after discharge and your diet should change becoming healthier, avoiding fatty and high salt foods and eating plenty of fruit and vegetables.

You should visit your doctor for regular checkups and you will be given medication that you must take for the rest or your life.

An episode of angina is not a heart attack. Angina is recurring pain in the chest due to part of the heart temporarily not receiving enough blood and the pain is usually relieved in a few minutes after resting or taking medication. Whereas during a heart attack, pain lasts a lot longer and cannot be relieved by resting or taking medication, emergency treatment is needed.