WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE . . .

...between a heart attack and heart failure?

A HEART attack occurs when the blood supply to the heart is compromised, resulting in part of it dying. This happens due a combination of factors, including a narrowing of the arteries to the heart – a condition known as coronary artery disease. Symptoms include chest pain, fatigue and breathing problems.

One person is hospitalised with a heart attack every five minutes in the UK. Heart failure is a chronic condition in which the heart is unable to pump efficiently enough to meet the needs of the body, due to infection, disease – and heart attack.

Symptoms are similar but long term. Heart failure is incurable, so treatment involves managing symptoms. A million people live with the condition in the UK.