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 by remodeling the vessel lining. The resulting deposits (plaques) narrow the vessel. If they break through the innermost layer of the vessel wall, the body will then 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 life-threatening because the heart's ventricles then contract rapidly, irregularly and inadequately. As a result, not enough blood is pumped through the body. The person loses consciousness and stops breathing. Ventricular fibrillation requires defibrillation.
A heart attack therefore only very rarely occurs suddenly or completely out of the blue. It is usually preceded by angina pectoris or coronary heart disease (CHD). The person experiences pain in the heart area that can radiate to the left arm or upper abdomen. This pain is often triggered by exertion and lasts from a few seconds to several 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 pain or intense burning. There may also be a marked tightness or squeezing sensation in the chest. These pains are often accompanied by intense fear. People usually have a cold sweat and a pale, often yellowish-gray complexion.
However, more nonspecific symptoms can also indicate a heart attack. 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 heart attacks known as "silent heart attacks" that occur without symptoms. Nevertheless, damage to the heart occurs, with all the possible consequences.
There are also heart attacks known as "silent heart attacks" that occur without symptoms. Nevertheless, damage to the heart occurs, with all the possible 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 necessary.
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 in this situation. Call your partner, children, neighbors, or someone else. If possible, open the door for the emergency services in advance.
Very important: Please do not drive yourself to the hospital or have relatives or friends take you to a doctor! Wait for the emergency services! Keep in mind that your condition could worsen at any time, that you could potentially endanger yourself and others, and that providing care while on the road will be more difficult in any case.
Sources:
This article is from Tensana – the leading app since 2011, helping hundreds of thousands of people 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 outpatient care, and has headed the specialist editorial team at Tensana since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as an emergency medical technician, first responder, and in various areas of therapy and emergency care, she provides well-founded, practical, and reliably verified information.
Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as outpatient care, and has headed the specialist editorial team at Tensana since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as an emergency medical technician, first responder, and in various areas of therapy and emergency care, she provides well-founded, practical, and reliably verified information.
