Recognizing and Helping During a Heart Attack
A heart attack is one of the serious complications of high blood pressure. In Germany about 300,000 people have a heart attack each year. Only roughly half of them survive almost every second person dies before reaching the hospital. For this reason, heart attacks are among the most common causes of death in Germany.
What does high blood pressure have to do with it?
Chronically high pressure in the blood vessels promotes hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis). High blood pressure damages the vessel walls, which react with remodeling of the vessel lining. The resulting deposits (plaques) narrow the vessel. If they break through the innermost layer of the vessel wall, the body will try to seal this "wound" with a thrombus a blood clot which can lead to a complete blockage of the vessel. If this happens in one of the coronary arteries, it is called a heart attack. A common complication of a heart attack is ventricular fibrillation, which is immediately lifethreatening because the heart's ventricles then beat quickly, irregularly and ineffectively. As a result, the body no longer receives enough blood. The person loses consciousness and stops breathing. Ventricular fibrillation requires defibrillation.
A heart attack therefore very rarely happens completely out of the blue. It is usually preceded by angina pectoris or coronary heart disease (CHD). The person feels pain in the chest area that can radiate into the left arm or the upper abdomen. These pains are often related to exertion and last from a few seconds to minutes.
How can I recognize a heart attack?
A heart attack often causes severe pain that can radiate into the upper abdomen, the arms (the left side is often particularly affected), the back, the shoulders, or into the neck or jaw.
The pain is often described as crushing or a strong burning. There may also be a marked tightness or squeezing sensation in the chest. These pains are often accompanied by intense fear. People usually appear clammy and pale, often with a yellowishgray facial color.
However, a heart attack can also present with more nonspecific symptoms. This is somewhat more common in women than in men. Nonspecific symptoms can include shortness of breath, upper abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, or a feeling of weakness.
There are also socalled "silent infarctions" that occur without symptoms. The damage to the heart still happens and can have all the same consequences.
There are also socalled "silent infarctions" that occur without symptoms. The damage to the heart still happens and can have all the same consequences.
What to do?
If you suspect that you or someone you have found is having a heart attack, please call the emergency number 112 immediately.
If the person is conscious, position them with their upper body elevated to take some strain off the heart. Check breathing and consciousness repeatedly. Loosen tight clothing. Many people find fresh air pleasant and helpful open a window if possible.
If the person is unconscious, place them in the recovery position if they are still breathing and keep checking that their breathing continues.
If there is no breathing, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (see also First aid – in case of emergency).
If you are the one affected, try to stay calm. Call the emergency number. The emergency dispatch center can stay in contact with you until help arrives on site. If possible, do not stay alone call your partner, children, neighbors or someone nearby. If you can, unlock or open the door for the emergency services in advance.
Very important: Do not drive yourself to the hospital and do not let relatives or friends take you to a doctor! Wait for the emergency services! Keep in mind that your condition can worsen at any time, you could endanger yourself and others, and care on the way will in any case be more difficult.
Sources:
This article comes from BloodPressureDB – the leading app since 2011 that helps hundreds of thousands monitor their blood pressure every day.
Our content is based on carefully researched, evidence-based data and is continuously updated (as of 11/2025).
Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care, and has led BloodPressureDB's specialist editorial team since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder and in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides solid, practical and reliably reviewed information.
Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care, and has led BloodPressureDB's specialist editorial team since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder and in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides solid, practical and reliably reviewed information.
