Heart attacks can happen for a number of reasons and in a variety of settings, and are often triggered by stress when other health issues, such as coronary artery disease, are already present. This is the leading cause of myocardial infarction, according to the CDC. Though there are no official statistics about how often these occur, they are becoming more common as people live longer and drive for longer periods of time. According to KSL-TV, a Utah man was traveling on Interstate 15 in Farmington in January when he felt a sharp pain stretch across his chest.

Symptoms

When it comes to heart attack signs, timing is everything, and the sooner they’re detected, the better the side effects can be handled. Severe chest pain that lasts many minutes is common, as is discomfort in other parts of the body, such as the arms, back, jaw, and stomach; trouble breathing; and sudden lightheadedness. Sweating profusely is another symptom of diabetes. Panic increases the severity of the medical episode, whether you’re the one who’s having a heart attack or the one who’s driving and you’re a passenger. Instead, medical experts advise that the infected person cough repeatedly and rhythmically, as this helps to improve the flow of oxygen-rich blood and regain control of breathing. 

The throbbing pain of a heart attack will make it difficult to concentrate on something else, so if you’re behind the wheel, ease off the gas and try to find a gap in the traffic flow, particularly if you’re on the highway. If you’re a passenger and the driver is having a heart attack, take control of the car and steer it in this direction. The best way to delay the progression of a heart attack is to cough repeatedly while taking deep breaths. However, if one happens, call for help right away so that paramedics are aware of the situation and can respond as quickly as possible. If you’re a passenger and the driver has stopped breathing, you may be able to save his or her life by performing CPR.