Serangan jantung (a heart attack) happens when blood flow to the heart is blocked, usually by a blood clot; it is life-threatening, so call 999 immediately. The main warning sign is chest pain that feels like crushing or squeezing and may spread to the arm, neck or jaw, often with shortness of breath, sweating, nausea or a feeling like indigestion. In Malaysia, ischaemic heart disease was the leading cause of medically certified deaths in 2024. While waiting for the ambulance, sit the person down, give 300mg aspirin if they are not allergic, and start CPR if they stop breathing. Smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes all raise the risk.
What is serangan jantung (a heart attack)?
Serangan jantung is the Malay term for a heart attack. According to the NHS, a heart attack happens when blood flow to your heart is blocked. It can be life-threatening and needs emergency treatment in hospital.
How common is heart disease in Malaysia?
Heart disease is the leading cause of medically certified deaths in Malaysia. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), in 2024:
- ischaemic heart disease remained the principal cause of death, with 17,421 deaths, 13.0% of medically certified deaths;
- it was the leading cause of death among men (12,112 deaths, 15.3%);
- it was also the leading cause of death among people aged 41 to 59 (5,380 deaths, 17.6%).
This makes knowing the warning signs, and acting fast, especially important.
Tanda serangan jantung: what are the symptoms?
According to the NHS, symptoms of a heart attack may include:
- chest pain that may feel like crushing or squeezing on your chest; the pain may also spread to your arm, neck and jaw;
- feeling short of breath;
- feeling sick or being sick;
- feeling like you have indigestion: a burning feeling in your chest and feeling full or bloated;
- sweating;
- pale, blue or grey skin (on brown or black skin this may be easier to see on the palms).
Because a heart attack can feel like indigestion, do not assume chest discomfort is just gastrik, especially if it comes with breathlessness, sweating or pain spreading to the arm or jaw. Arm pain or numbness with chest pain should also be treated as an emergency; see our guide to tangan kebas.
Is there a list of '5 tanda serangan jantung'?
Many people search for "5 tanda serangan jantung akan muncul" after seeing lists on social media. There is no official list of five signs. Use the NHS symptoms above as your guide, and remember that not everyone has all of them. Call 999, according to the NHS, if:
- you have chest pain that feels tight or like squeezing;
- chest pain is spreading to your arms, neck or jaw;
- you have severe difficulty breathing, such as gasping, choking or being unable to get words out;
- your lips or skin are pale, blue or grey;
- someone has passed out and is not responding normally.
Also get urgent medical advice if you are suddenly more short of breath than usual, or have chest pain with feeling sick, or chest pain with a racing, slow, skipping or fluttering heartbeat.
What should you do during a heart attack?
If you think you or someone else is having a heart attack, call 999 first. Do not drive yourself to hospital. While waiting, the NHS advises:
- Sit and rest on the floor in a comfortable position, with knees bent and back supported (or on a chair if that is not possible).
- Take aspirin (300mg) if you have any, unless the person is allergic to aspirin.
- If the person has angina, they can use their glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) spray if they have it.
- Keep checking that they are still responding and breathing.
- If they stop responding and stop breathing, start CPR.
Heart attack, angina or cardiac arrest?
| What happens | What to do | |
|---|---|---|
| Angina | Pain or tightness, usually in the chest, that can be a sign of a heart problem; often brought on by exercise, stress, emotion or cold; usually lasts less than 10 minutes and eases with rest or GTN | If diagnosed, rest and use GTN; call 999 if pain does not stop after the second dose or after resting |
| Heart attack (serangan jantung) | Blood flow to the heart is blocked, usually by a clot; pain does not go away | Call 999 immediately |
| Cardiac arrest | The heart suddenly stops and the person loses consciousness | Call 999 and start CPR |
According to the NHS, angina can be a sign of a heart problem, so see a doctor as soon as possible if you think you have it. A heart attack and a cardiac arrest are both life-threatening, but they are different and need different treatment.
Punca serangan jantung: who is at higher risk?
Heart attacks are usually caused by a blood clot stopping enough blood getting to the heart. According to the NHS, you are more likely to have a heart attack if you:
- smoke;
- have high blood pressure (see our guide to darah tinggi);
- have high cholesterol (see kolesterol tinggi);
- have diabetes (see kencing manis);
- are living with overweight or obesity;
- have a close relative who has had a heart attack.
Many of these risk factors also raise the risk of stroke; see our guide to angin ahmar.
How is a heart attack treated?
In hospital, tests such as an ECG and blood tests confirm a heart attack, and further tests such as an echocardiogram or a coronary angiogram may follow. According to the NHS, treatment depends on how severe it is and may include:
- medicines to treat the blockage and improve blood flow to the heart;
- coronary angioplasty, which opens blocked arteries using a small tube called a stent;
- coronary artery bypass surgery, using arteries from another part of the body to take blood around a blockage.
After a heart attack, long-term medicines usually include antiplatelets to help stop arteries getting blocked, statins to lower cholesterol, and medicines to lower blood pressure, such as ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers.
Recovery after a heart attack
Heart attacks affect people in different ways. According to the NHS, some people recover in several weeks with little impact on their lives, while for others recovery takes months or years. You will usually need to rest, including time off work, and be referred to cardiac rehabilitation. Most people can return to normal activities once they have recovered. Talk to your doctor if you feel anxious or low afterwards, as support is available.
How can you lower your risk?
You cannot always prevent a heart attack, but the NHS recommends these lifestyle changes to reduce your risk:
- stop smoking;
- keep your cholesterol and blood pressure at healthy levels;
- eat a healthy, balanced diet and reduce salt and saturated fat;
- maintain a healthy weight;
- exercise regularly;
- cut down on alcohol.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is serangan jantung (a heart attack)?
Serangan jantung is the Malay term for a heart attack. It happens when blood flow to the heart is blocked, usually by a blood clot. It is life-threatening and needs emergency treatment in hospital. In Malaysia, ischaemic heart disease was the leading cause of medically certified deaths in 2024.
What are the early signs of a heart attack (tanda serangan jantung)?
Symptoms can include chest pain that feels like crushing or squeezing, which may spread to the arm, neck and jaw; shortness of breath; feeling or being sick; a feeling like indigestion, with burning in the chest and feeling full or bloated; sweating; and pale, blue or grey skin. Call 999 immediately if you think someone is having a heart attack.
Are there '5 signs that a heart attack is coming'?
Lists of a fixed number of warning signs circulate on social media, but there is no official set of five. The NHS describes the main symptoms as crushing or squeezing chest pain that may spread to the arm, neck or jaw, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, an indigestion-like burning feeling, sweating and pale or grey skin. Not everyone gets all of them.
What should I do if someone is having a heart attack?
Call 999 immediately. Help the person sit on the floor with knees bent and back supported, or on a chair. If they are not allergic to aspirin, the NHS advises taking a 300mg aspirin if available. If they have angina medicine (GTN spray), they can use it. Keep checking they are responding and breathing, and start CPR if they stop.
What causes a heart attack (punca serangan jantung)?
Heart attacks are usually caused by a blood clot stopping enough blood getting to the heart. You are more likely to have one if you smoke, have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes, are living with overweight or obesity, or have a close relative who has had a heart attack.
Is a heart attack the same as cardiac arrest?
No. A heart attack is when blood flow to the heart is blocked. A cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly stops and the person loses consciousness. Both are life-threatening emergencies but need different treatment. If someone stops responding and stops breathing, call 999 and start CPR.
Can a heart attack be prevented?
You cannot always prevent one, but the NHS advises stopping smoking, keeping your cholesterol and blood pressure at healthy levels, eating a balanced diet with less salt and saturated fat, keeping a healthy weight, exercising regularly and cutting down on alcohol.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor. If you think someone is having a heart attack, call 999 immediately. Health supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
