What is heart disease?

Heart disease is a general term for problems that affect the structure and function of your heart muscle. It includes:

• coronary heart disease (CHD) — which affects the blood vessels that supply blood to your heart
• arrhythmias — when your heart beats either too fast, too slow or irregularly
• heart failure — when your heart doesn’t pump blood as well as it should
• valve disease — when one or more of your heart’s valves can’t open or close properly, which affects blood flow

What is a heart attack?

A heart attack is when the blood supply to your heart muscle is blocked, and your heart doesn’t get enough oxygen. Your heart muscle is damaged.

Heart attacks are commonly caused by coronary heart disease (CHD). Angina is also caused by CHD and can be a symptom of a heart attack. Twice as many males as females live with CHD.

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in Australia, affecting 1 in 7 adults aged 75 years and older. Every day, about 19 people die from a heart attack.

What are heart attack symptoms in males?

The most common heart attack symptom in males is chest pain.

Chest pain from a heart attack is often described as:

• heavy
• crushing
• pressure

Other symptoms of a heart attack are:

• pain, tightness or discomfort in your arms, shoulder, neck, back and jaw
• a burning sensation in your chest (like heartburn or indigestion)
• shortness of breath
• nausea or vomiting
• dizziness
• tiredness or fatigue

What are heart attack symptoms in females?

The most common heart attack symptom in females is chest pain.

Chest pain from a heart attack is often described as:

• heavy
• crushing
• pressure

Females are more likely than males to have non-chest pain symptoms, such as:

• pain, tightness or discomfort in your arms, shoulder, neck, back and jaw
• shortness of breath
• dizziness
• a burning sensation in your chest (like heartburn or indigestion)
• nausea or vomiting
• cold sweats

When should I call an ambulance?

If you or someone else has the symptoms above and might be having a heart attack, call triple zero (000) right away for an ambulance. Early treatment could save a life.

What should I do while waiting for the ambulance?

If you think you might be having a heart attack, you should:

• chew aspirin — take 300 milligrams of aspirin (unless you are allergic to it). Chewing aspirin during a heart attack can help lower heart damage.
• take glyceryl trinitrate if you have been prescribed it for chest pain. Take it as your doctor has directed.

If someone is unconscious or not breathing, call for help and start CPR right away. If available, use a defibrillator.

Do not drive if you're having chest pain. If no ambulance is available, ask someone to take you to the hospital.

What are the risk factors for coronary heart disease?

Well-known risk factors for heart disease are:

• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol
• diabetes
• being overweight or obese
• having an unhealthy diet
• not getting enough physical activity
• smoking
• drinking too much alcohol

Females can also have other risk factors, such as:

• polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• premature menopause (menopause before the age of 40 years)
• some cancer treatments, such as breast cancer treatments
• depression, which can increase the risk of coronary heart disease

Also, some pregnancy complications can increase your risk of heart disease later on. These include:

• pre-eclampsia
• high blood pressure during pregnancy
• gestational diabetes
• having a baby born prematurely
• having a baby with a low birthweight

Having an autoimmune condition can also increase your risk. These conditions, and some of the treatments for them, are more common in females than males.

Males with erectile dysfunction are at increased risk of heart disease.

What can be done to help prevent heart disease?

Anyone can reduce their risk of heart attack by:

• quitting smoking
• getting regular exercise
• sticking to a healthy diet, including cutting down on alcohol and salt
• maintaining a healthy weight
• making sure high blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol are well controlled

Resources and support

Visit the Heart Foundation for information on the heart, heart disease and heart attack symptoms.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Languages other than English

The Heart Foundation also has heart health information in languages other than English.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

Information designed in collaboration with Aboriginal people is available from St Vincent’s Hospital Heart Health: Aboriginal Heart Health.