Tests for heart and circulatory conditions
Tests are used to diagnose a heart condition or to see how healthy your heart is. Find out what to expect from some of the most common tests.
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With the help of our cardiac nurses, we created this audio using our voices and an AI tool. For more information on how we use AI at the BHF, get in touch.
Heart attack symptoms vary from person to person. They can include:
Other less common symptoms include:
It’s possible to have a heart attack without experiencing all these symptoms, and it’s important to remember everyone experiences pain differently. This is more likely in elderly people or people with diabetes, as the condition can cause nerve damage which affects how you feel pain.
Discomfort in the chest can be caused by many things from a heart attack to indigestion and muscle strain. Learn more about the different causes of chest pain.
It's essential to dial 999 if you have any symptoms that could be a heart attack. If you think you need to be seen before you can speak to your GP but you don’t think you’re having a heart attack, call 111 for an assessment.
Don't delay because you think hospitals are too busy - the NHS still has systems in place to treat people for heart attacks. If you delay, you are more likely to suffer serious heart damage and more likely to need intensive care and to spend longer in hospital.
It’s important you get medical attention immediately. Don’t worry about wasting paramedics’ time – a heart attack is a medical emergency.
You should:
Most heart attacks are caused by coronary heart disease (CHD).
CHD causes your coronary arteries to become narrowed by a gradual build-up of fatty deposits called atheroma.
If a piece of atheroma breaks off, a blood clot forms around this to try and repair the damage to the artery wall. This clot can block your coronary artery, causing your heart muscle to be starved of blood and oxygen.
Other less common causes of a heart attack include:
Although symptoms can vary from person to person, women and men generally experience the same heart attack symptoms. However, research shows women tend to not recognise the symptoms as a sign of a heart attack as quickly. This is mainly because heart attacks are wrongly believed to be a “man’s problem."
In the UK, an average of four women die of coronary heart disease every hour, many of them due to a heart attack.
You dramatically increase your chance of survival if you call 999 straight away.
Learn more about women and heart attacks
If you think you’re having a heart attack, you need to call 999 for an ambulance. Don’t try and take yourself to hospital, as the ambulance team will give you the best care and do tests on the way.
In the ambulance, the team will do an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the electrical activity of your heart. This is an important test to find out if you're having a heart attack. If the ECG shows you’re having a heart attack, you’ll be taken to a specialist centre to get the best treatment.
Whether or not the ECG confirms a heart attack, you’ll need further tests to find out what’s going on. These tests may include:
You might hear a heart attack being called acute coronary syndrome, myocardial infarction (MI) or coronary thrombosis while you're at hospital.
After suffering a heart attack while out cycling, Dilwyn recounts the events leading up to that day, his medical treatment and all the fundraising he's done since. Hear his story and other real experiences from people living with heart and circulatory diseases.
Quick treatment to get the blood flowing to your heart muscle again is important. This can reduce the amount of permanent damage to your heart and save your life.
Many people need to have emergency treatment to restore the blood flow. Emergency treatment may include:
You’ll discuss with your doctor about which of these treatments might be best for you.
You'll usually stay in hospital for about two to five days after having a heart attack. This depends on what treatment you've had and how well you're recovering.
During your stay, you’ll be monitored and have tests to see how well your heart is recovering.
When you first arrive in hospital, you’ll likely be admitted to a coronary care unit (CCU) which is for people with serious heart issues who need to be closely watched. During your stay, you might be moved to a cardiac ward.
You won’t be discharged (sent home) from hospital until your doctor is certain you’re well enough to go home. To decide this, they’ll talk to you about going home and do assessments such as have you climb stairs to see if you’re fit enough.
When you get home, it’s a good idea to gradually build up how much you do. Even if you don’t feel like it, many people find getting up, washing and dressing a positive first step.
Over time, you can do some light household activities like making a hot drink or get back into the habit of doing the usual things like the washing up. Walking around the house or standing up from the chair and marching on the spot for a minute is another way of keeping active.
You might find it helpful to have someone stay with you for the first few days or weeks once you return home. If it’s not safe for you to be discharged from the hospital on your own, you may be able to stay longer.
You can speak to your team about going home as soon as possible and they can help you get support like a small, temporary package of care or special equipment at home if you need it. Learn more about care after being discharged from hospital.
A heart attack can be a frightening experience and it can take time to come to terms with what's happened. It’s natural to be worried about your recovery, feel scared, frustrated and isolated. For support and advice, visit our emotional support page.
After a heart attack, you’ll be offered cardiac rehabilitation (“cardiac rehab” for short). Cardiac rehab gives you the best chance of recovery by offering:
Cardiac rehab is an important step that guides and supports you on your journey to recovery. Talk to your healthcare team about how you can start a cardiac rehab programme.
It’s essential that you take any medication that’s been prescribed even if you feel well. Medications may include:
If you have any questions, concerns or are worried about side effects from your medication, don’t stop taking it and talk to your doctor. If your symptoms are serious, speak to your GP or pharmacist straight away.
If you notice some side effects but they’re not too bad, it can help to keep a diary of your symptoms before you talk to your doctor so they can help you manage. Another option is to use the New Medicine Service (NMS) through the NHS to get extra help and advice if you’re prescribed medicine to treat a long-term condition.
We know that many of you are experiencing delays to treatment at this time, or have questions and concerns about getting medical help. We've created this set of information to help you with these issues.
If you are having emergency heart attack symptoms, do not wait for an appointment and call 999 immediately.
There are many things you can do to be healthier and reduce your risk, like:
There are also some risk factors you can't control, such as:
Everyone aged between 40-74 is eligible for a free NHS Health Check in England. If you have a family history of heart and circulatory disease, it’s important to let your GP know and arrange a health check. Similar schemes are available in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Contact your GP to find out more.
This short illustrated leaflet explains the symptoms and causes of a heart attack and the possible treatments for it. It also tells you what to expect from the recovery process and answers some common questions.
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Page last updated: March 2023
Next update due: March 2026