Is Dying from a Heart Attack Painful? A Deep Dive into the Experience
When someone collapses,clutching their chest,it’s often assumed they’re having a heart attack. but is this moment as painful as it looks? And what about the moment of death itself? To answer these questions, we turned to Marielle Emmelot-Vonk, a professor of clinical geriatrics at UMC Utrecht, who sheds light on the nuances of heart attacks, cardiac arrest, and the experience of dying.
Understanding the Difference: Heart Attack vs. Cardiac Arrest
“Eventually, everyone who dies stops the heart,” Emmelot explains. Though, the term cardiac arrest is used only when the heart’s failure to pump is the direct cause of death. As an example, if someone dies from pneumonia, their heart stops due to lack of oxygen or severe infection, but this isn’t classified as cardiac arrest.
A heart attack, medically termed a myocardial infarction, occurs when one or more coronary arteries—responsible for supplying blood to the heart muscle—become blocked, often due to a blood clot caused by arterial calcification. This lack of oxygen damages the heart muscle, impairing its ability to pump or causing a heart rhythm disorder, which can lead to cardiac arrest.
Another potential cause of cardiac arrest is heart failure, where the heart becomes ”exhausted” from overworking due to conditions like vascular damage, high blood pressure, defective heart valves, or heart muscle disease.
The Pain of a Heart Attack
In the Netherlands,heart attacks claim about five thousand lives annually,with around 37,000 hospitalizations,two-thirds of which are men. “Three quarters of people with a heart attack experience enormous pressure on the chest,” Emmelot says. ”As if a belt is being put on very tightly. Or as if an elephant stands on yoru chest.” This pain, caused by oxygen deprivation in the heart muscle, can radiate to the left arm or jaw.
If a heart attack leads to cardiac arrest, the person loses consciousness within ten seconds.”Then you don’t notice it anymore,” Emmelot emphasizes. Those who are successfully resuscitated frequently enough report, “It became black in front of the eyes, and I don’t know anything from afterwards.” However, they may wake up with pain, as resuscitation can sometimes result in broken ribs.
The Moment of Death
If resuscitation isn’t attempted or fails, the person remains unconscious. “After four to six minutes, serious brain damage occurs due to lack of oxygen, and after about ten minutes, the person really dies,” Emmelot explains. “We assume that people don’t notice it.”
Even in cases of death from other causes, stopping the heart itself is unlikely to be painful. ”There are stories from people with near-death experiences: that they saw a gorgeous light or other images,” Emmelot notes.”These people report no pain to the best of my knowledge. That is a nice idea, right?”
A Silent Threat: Heart Attacks Without Pain
Emmelot highlights a critical point: “A heart attack presents itself differently in a quarter of the people, without pain. Manny of them are women or the elderly.” These individuals may experience non-specific symptoms like shortness of breath, nausea, abdominal pain, dizziness, or sudden tiredness. “As a result, the heart attack with them is sadly more often missed. We have to be alert to that.”
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Heart Attack | Blocked coronary arteries cause chest pain, often radiating to the arm or jaw. |
| Cardiac Arrest | Heart stops pumping, leading to unconsciousness within seconds. |
| Pain During Death | Unlikely; unconsciousness occurs quickly. |
| Silent Heart Attacks | 25% of cases, especially in women and the elderly, present without chest pain. |
Understanding these distinctions and symptoms can save lives. If you or someone around you experiences unusual symptoms, seek medical attention promptly. Awareness and prompt action are key to preventing tragedy.
For more facts on heart health, visit the American Heart Association or explore resources on heart attack symptoms in women. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and take care of your heart.
