Your heart never rests. Beating over 100,000 times a day, it keeps your body alive and active. But when a heart attack strikes, every second counts. Understanding what happens during those critical minutes can help save lives — maybe even yours.

At Backbone Medicity Hospital, we believe in empowering you with knowledge. Here’s a breakdown of what really happens during a heart attack, minute by minute.

0–5 Minutes: The Blockage Begins

A heart attack usually starts with a blockage in one of the coronary arteries — often caused by a blood clot forming on a ruptured plaque.
Blood flow to part of the heart muscle suddenly drops or stops, starving it of oxygen.
You may feel:

  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Discomfort in arms, back, neck, jaw
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sweating, nausea, dizziness

These are the red flags. If you or someone near you experiences them, don’t wait — call emergency services immediately.

5–10 Minutes: The Heart Muscle Suffers

Without oxygen, the affected heart muscle cells begin to die.
Pain may intensify, breathing becomes harder, and the risk of arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) increases.
Immediate medical attention is critical to limit damage.

10–20 Minutes: Damage Intensifies

The longer the blockage continues, the more heart tissue gets damaged.
Parts of the heart may stop functioning properly, weakening its ability to pump.
Patients may lose consciousness or go into cardiac arrest if the rhythm is severely disrupted.

20–60 Minutes: A Ticking Time Bomb

If untreated, the damage can become irreversible.
More of the heart muscle dies, and survival becomes less likely with each passing minute.
This is why fast action — calling an ambulance, getting to the ER, and starting treatment — is the difference between life and death.

How Backbone Medicity Hospital Responds

In our advanced Cardiac Emergency Unit, every second is optimized.
We are equipped with:
✅ 24/7 emergency cardiac care
✅ Rapid diagnostic tools (ECG, blood tests, imaging)
✅ Cath lab for immediate angioplasty
✅ Expert cardiologists on standby

The Bottom Line: Don’t Ignore the Signs

Most heart attack victims wait too long before seeking help. Don’t let fear or uncertainty delay you.

Listen to your body. Act fast. Save a life.

Backbone Medicity Hospital – Rajkot is here to help you through every heartbeat.