Healthy Conversations: Heart Health

Heart Attack vs. Heart Failure: Do You Know the Difference?

Approximately 655,000 Americans die from heart disease each year. That’s one in every four deaths. In many cases, people wait until they have had a heart attack or been diagnosed with heart failure before making the correct choices to fight heart disease. This can result in someone suffering irreversible harm or long-term damage to his or her heart.

Heart Attack
Ischemic heart disease is a condition that occurs when part of the heart does not receive enough blood. This is caused by cholesterol particles in the blood causing plaque buildup on the walls of arteries called "Atherosclerosis" that lower supply of blood to the heart. Progression of this process narrows the arteries and eventually block the flow of blood to heart muscles. This decrease in blood flow reduces the amount of oxygen needed for the heart muscle to work properly as the heart works nonstop. If left unchecked, this process causes ischemic heart disease that may lead to a heart attack.

Signs that you may be experiencing a heart attack:

  • Recurring chest pain (angina) at rest or with exertion
  • Shortness of breath with exertion
  • Chest pain that also causes discomfort in the jaw, arm or stomach area
  • Feeling clammy and/or nauseous

Find out if you are at risk for high cholesterol

Heart Failure

Heart failure can be due to one of the following:

1) Systolic – Weak pump or weak heart muscles 

2) Diastolic – Stiff heart or heart not able to relax completely

Diastolic Heart Failure: Also called Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HfpEf). Diastolic dysfunction occurs when the heart’s ventricles stiffen, thus making it more difficult for the heart to refill itself with blood between heart beats. This condition is more common in men than in women, and it occurs more often in middle and older age. If this condition progresses far enough, it can lead to heart failure. It can go unnoticed unless symptoms develop, such as below.

Symptoms you may experience with heart failure:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Fast, irregular or abnormal heart beat
  • Fatigue, weakness
  • Light-headedness or fainting
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, legs or abdomen
  • Lasting cough or wheezing
  • Dizziness or confusion
  • Frequent urination at night
  • Nausea, lack of appetite

heart illustration

Heart Attack Symptoms

Not Everyone Has Chest Pains

Do you know the other symptoms?

Take The Quiz
heart anatomy infographic

How Does the Heart Work?

Learn more about the structures that make the heart’s continuous pumping cycle possible.

Find Out Now
risk factors

Risk Factors that Can Lead to a Heart Attack or Heart Failure

  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Cigarette smoking
  • Being overweight
  • Drinking excessive alcohol, or smoking or other tobacco use
  • A family history of heart disease at a young age

prevention

Prevention is Key

Schedule regular heart screenings with your doctor. This will make you aware of any risks to your health. In addition, by following a healthy lifestyle, you can decrease your risk of heart disease. Limit your intake of processed foods and saturated fats, instead replacing them with fresh fruits and vegetables. Include 2 ½ hours of moderate-intensity exercise, like brisk walking or bicycling, every week to help you maintain a healthy weight and lower your blood pressure, blood cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

heart healthy

Simple Steps to Follow to Get Heart Healthy

  • Eat healthy foods
  • Exercise regularly
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Control other health conditions like diabetes, blood pressure or cholesterol
  • Manage stress
  • Quit smoking
  • Limit alcohol consumption
  • Get an annual flu shot to help prevent heart complications if you already have heart disease
  • Take medications as prescribed from your doctor to manage your condition

Baystate Health Heart & Vascular Virtual Lecture Series

Join all or part of the free annual virtual series to learn the latest advances in heart and vascular care from Baystate Health providers.

To register, visit BaystateHealth.org/Heart-Month. There will be time for questions and answers.