The staging system for heart attacks describes the extent of tissue damage to the heart. Stage 1 heart attacks do not cause any death of the heart tissue, while stage 4 causes severe damage.

Some doctors use these stages to assess a heart attack’s effect on the heart muscle. They do not refer to how the symptoms unfold, as heart attack symptoms can vary from person to person.

Anyone with concerns they could be having a heart attack should seek emergency help right away. Getting care quickly can prevent serious complications.

A note about sex and gender

Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Learn more.

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A heart attack, or myocardial infarction (MI), results from a blockage in a coronary artery that carries blood to the heart. This disruption in blood flow can create symptoms and damage the heart muscle.

In 2024, the Canadian Journal of Cardiology published the Canadian Cardiovascular Society Classification of Acute Myocardial Infarction (CCS-AMI), which groups heart attacks into stages according to how much tissue damage they cause.

However, it is important to note that not all doctors use this staging system. In the United States, doctors tend to determine heart attack severity based on the type of heart attack a person has and whether it fully or partially blocks a blood vessel.

The CCS-AMI classification has four stages:

  • Stage 1: This stage involves no death of the heart tissue. The medical term for this is an aborted MI.
  • Stage 2: This describes a heart attack that kills some cardiomyocytes, which are the muscle cells that make up most of the heart’s tissue. A stage 2 heart attack does not damage the tiny blood vessels around the heart.
  • Stage 3: These heart attacks damage cardiomyocytes and also cause a blockage in the small blood vessels.
  • Stage 4: This is the most severe type of heart attack, causing significant tissue death and rupture of blood vessels.

Stage 1 heart attacks, or aborted MIs, are more common when people get timely treatment to restore blood flow within 1 hour of their symptoms starting.

However, it is important to note that the severity of symptoms does not necessarily correspond to these stages.

This is why it is important to seek immediate medical help if a person suspects a heart attack, even if the symptoms are not severe, and to be aware of all the potential symptoms.

Heart attack symptoms can varyTrusted Source in intensity and duration, and not everyone experiences all of them.

In some people, heart attack symptoms appear gradually, while in others, they come on suddenly. Even if a person has had a heart attack before, the symptoms could be different if they have another.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA)Trusted Source, the symptoms may include:

Chest discomfort

Most people, but not all, will experience chest discomfort during a heart attack. A person may feel:

  • pain
  • pressure
  • aching
  • heaviness

Some people also say they experience a sense of tightness that can feel like they are “being squeezed.”

Sometimes, these sensations can appear rapidly and intensely, especially when the blockage occurs suddenly. If the blockage progresses slowly over time, the symptoms appear gradually or come and go. People may mistake the sensations for heartburn or indigestion.

Pain or discomfort in other areas

The sensations that a person may experience in the chest can spread or radiate to other areas of the body, including the following:

  • back
  • jaw
  • neck
  • upper abdomen
  • arm or shoulder

Shortness of breath

A person can experience breathing difficulties before or during a heart attack.

Shortness of breath can occur due to blockages in the blood vessels that cause the pressure in the heart to increase, leading to fluid buildup in the lungs.

Dizziness or lightheadedness

Some people may feel faint, dizzy, or lightheaded. This can be due to poor blood flow caused by a weakened heart or from arrhythmias that can occur as a complication of a heart attack.

Cold sweats

Experiencing cold sweats or clamminess can also occur during a heart attack.

Cold sweats may feel similar to those that can occur during the flu or another viral illness.

Individuals should note other symptoms that occur alongside cold sweats. If they are similar to those of a heart attack, they should seek urgent medical attention.

Stomach symptoms

Some people experience gastrointestinal symptoms when they are having a heart attack. People may have:

These stomach symptoms can cause people to mistake a heart attack for heartburn.

Fatigue

Unexplained fatigue is another potential symptom of a heart attack or impending heart attack.

People often report feeling more tired than usual, which can be due to reduced blood flow.

Anxiety

During a heart attack, people can also experience a sense of panic or anxiety. People can confuse panic attacks and heart attacks, given the similarity of the symptoms.

The symptoms of a heart attack can present differently in females than in males. While the most commonTrusted Source symptom is still chest pain, females may be more likely to have symptoms less widely associated with heart attacks, which can lead to delays in diagnosis. These include:

  • anxiety
  • shortness of breath
  • nausea and vomiting
  • tiredness or weakness
  • pain, especially in the back, shoulders, or jaw

Anyone who is experiencing possible heart attack symptoms or is unsure of whether they are experiencing symptoms should seek emergency treatment immediately.

It is important to call 911 immediately if someone is experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack. People with symptoms should notTrusted Source attempt to drive themselves.

Heart attacks can cause arrhythmias and a sudden loss of consciousness, so it is not safe to drive. Call an ambulance for transportation, as the ambulance crews can treat these arrhythmias, which can be life threatening.

Calling for an ambulance can also speed upTrusted Source how quickly people begin treatment. Timely treatment is key for better outcomes.

A 911 call handler may also recommend taking an aspirin tablet, which can thin the blood. However, do not take aspirin if you have an allergy to the medication or you are experiencing severe bleeding.

Urgent treatment is necessary to reduce the risk of serious damage to the heart tissue.

Immediate treatment

Immediate treatment at the hospital, even in the absence of a diagnosis, may includeTrusted Source:

  • aspirin to prevent further blood clotting
  • nitroglycerin to help relax the arteries to improve blood flow
  • oxygen therapy to increase the amount of oxygen in a person’s body
  • morphine to relieve symptoms
  • blood thinner medication to help dissolve the blockage in the artery

Once a person has received a heart attack diagnosis, a cardiologist may give medications and perform a procedure known as a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to reopen the blockage.

Doctors will likely also prescribe other medicines to reduce the risk of future heart attacks.

Procedures

In most heart attacks, a PCI is necessary to reopen the blocked blood vessel. During the procedure, a cardiologist uses catheters to access the blocked artery and open it by placing a metal stent.

Less commonly, a surgeon may perform bypass surgery. Bypass surgery involves redirecting the blood flow around a blockage.

Specific treatment may vary depending on the type of heart attack.

Recovery time can vary depending on the treatment and severity of the heart attack, as well as whether a person underwent a procedure and whether there were any complications.

According to the AHA, most people return to work within 2 to 3 monthsTrusted Source. However, people with mild heart attacks or who received prompt treatment could return sooner. Many people will recover from a heart attack and lead a full life.

After recovery, people should follow their treatment plan and lead a heart-healthy lifestyle. An important element of this is cardiac rehabilitation, a structured program that providesTrusted Source education, exercise counseling, and stress reduction.

A person can take steps to keep their heart healthy and reduce the risk of a heart attack.

According to the AHATrusted Source, ways to help prevent a heart attack may include:

There are many ways a person can reduce or manage stress. These may include meditation, yoga, or relaxation techniques.

Improving cholesterol levels can also help prevent a heart attack.

A person should take any medications according to the prescription for heart conditions or other conditions that raise the risk of a heart attack. These conditions may include diabetes or hypertension.

The staging system for heart attacks describes how much tissue damage the heart attack caused. Some doctors may use a staging system known as CCS-AMI, which classifies heart attacks based on the severity of their effects.

Symptoms do not necessarily correspond to the extent of tissue damage a heart attack causes. The symptoms may include chest pain, sweating, and shortness of breath. Nausea, dizziness, and fatigue are among the other possible symptoms.

Calling 911 is the most important thing a person can do when experiencing heart attack symptoms. Immediate medical attention improves the outlook for those who have a heart attack.

People who feel anxious about their risk should speak with their doctor about techniques to help them manage their symptoms and reduce their level of risk.