Complications of a heart attack
Complications of a heart attack can be serious and possibly life-threatening. These include:
- arrhythmia – this is an abnormal heartbeat, where the heart begins beating faster and faster, then stops beating (cardiac arrest)
- cardiogenic shock – where the heart's muscles are severely damaged and can no longer contract properly to supply enough blood to maintain many body functions
- heart rupture – where the heart's muscles, walls or valves split apart (rupture)
These complications can occur quickly after a heart attack and are a leading cause of death.
Many people die suddenly from a complication of a heart attack before reaching hospital, or within the first month after a heart attack.
The outlook often depends on:
- age – serious complications are more likely as you get older
- the severity of the heart attack – how much of the heart's muscle has been damaged during the attack
- how long it took before a person received treatment – treatment for a heart attack should begin as soon as possible
Read about complications of a heart attack.
Symptoms Of A Heart Attack 