The heart tissue is deprived of oxygen and, if not treated, can die. Two out of three people that suffer a heart attack can die, but the attack may be fatal if it interferes with the electrical impulses that regulate the heartbeat. There are several complications that can occur because of a heart attack. After the heart attack, a clot may form within one of the chambers of the heart. If the clot becomes detached it can travel and wreak havoc in other parts of the body.
Damage caused by a heart attack can weaken and stretch one of the walls of the heart chambers.
The resultant aneurysms can lead to complications like heart failure. The main general symptom of both heartburn and a heart attack is discomfort in the chest and upper abdominal region. The main difference is that in a heart attack, the pain radiates across the chest and possibly into the left arm and neck. Also, breathing becomes difficult and it may feel like the chest is being pressed on very heavily. A heart attack can come on at any time, but is most likely after strenuous activity.