Listen to Your Heart This Valentine’s Day: Angina, Heart Attacks and Cardiac Arrest Explained

Valentine’s Day celebrates the heart with cards, chocolates and romantic gestures. It is also a timely reminder to think about real heart health and what to do if something goes wrong.

Many people use the terms angina, heart attack, and cardiac arrest interchangeably. They are not the same, and knowing the difference can help you respond quickly and confidently in an emergency (NHS, 2024; Resuscitation Council UK, 2025).

Valentine’s Day reminder: understanding the difference between angina, heart attack and cardiac arrest could save a life.

What is Angina?

Angina is not a heart attack. It is usually a warning sign that the heart muscle is not getting enough oxygen-rich blood due to narrowed arteries.

Common signs of angina

• Tight, heavy or squeezing chest pain

• Pain spreading to arms, neck, jaw, back or shoulders

• Shortness of breath

• Often triggered by exertion or stress

• Usually improves with rest or prescribed medication

Angina is often a warning sign of reduced blood flow to the heart and should always be taken seriously.

What to do

• Help the person stop and rest (sit them down before using medication)

• Assist with their prescribed GTN spray or tablets if they have them

• If pain does not improve after medication, lasts longer than 5 minutes, or worsens, call 999 immediately

  
  

Persistent chest pain should always be treated as a potential emergency (British Heart Foundation, 2024; NHS, 2024).

What is a Heart Attack?

A heart attack happens when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked, usually by a clot. The heart is still beating, but the muscle is being damaged.

Common signs of a heart attack

• Persistent chest pain or pressure

• Pain spreading to arm(s), jaw, neck or back

• Sweating, nausea or dizziness

• Shortness of breath

• Feeling suddenly unwell or anxious

  
  

Symptoms may be different or less obvious in some people, including women, older adults, and those with diabetes.

A heart attack is caused by a blocked artery. Chest pain that does not go away should always be treated as an emergency.

What to do

• Call 999 immediately

• Help them sit comfortably and stay calm

• If appropriate and not allergic, they may be advised to chew aspirin (300 mg) while waiting for help

• Monitor their condition

  
  

Early treatment significantly improves outcomes (NHS, 2024).

What is Cardiac Arrest?

A cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood effectively.

This is a life-threatening emergency. Without immediate action, the person will die within minutes.

Signs of cardiac arrest

• Collapse and unresponsiveness

• Not breathing normally (or not breathing at all)

• No signs of life

Cardiac arrest is life-threatening. Call 999, start CPR immediately and use an AED as soon as available.

What to do immediately (UK guidance)

1. If unresponsive, call 999 (or 112) straight away

2. Check for normal breathing (the call handler will help you)

3. Start CPR immediately

   • Push hard and fast in the centre of the chest

   • Aim for 100–120 compressions per minute

   • Depth 5–6 cm

   • Minimise interruptions

4. Send someone for an AED and use it as soon as it arrives, following the prompts

Early CPR and defibrillation greatly improve survival chances (Resuscitation Council UK, 2025).

Why this matters this Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day reminds us how important loved ones are.

Knowing what to do in a cardiac emergency means you could:

• Help a partner or family member at home

• Assist a colleague at work

• Support someone in your community

• Potentially save the life of someone you love

First aid is not just a workplace requirement. It is a life skill.

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Because the best Valentine’s gift is knowing you can help when it matters most.

Email: info@slanjavalearning.co.uk

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Kind regards,

Slanjava Learning Ltd | Helping others to help others

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References and Further Reading

• British Heart Foundation (2024) Angina. Available at: https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/angina (Accessed: 12 February 2026).

• British Heart Foundation (2024) Heart attack. Available at: https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/heart-attack (Accessed: 12 February 2026).

• National Health Service (2024) Heart attack – Symptoms. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heart-attack/symptoms/ (Accessed: 12 February 2026).

• National Health Service (2024) Cardiac arrest. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cardiac-arrest/ (Accessed: 12 February 2026).

• National Health Service (2024) How to do CPR. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/first-aid/cpr/ (Accessed: 12 February 2026).

• Resuscitation Council UK (2025) Adult Basic Life Support Guidelines. Available at: https://www.resus.org.uk (Accessed: 12 February 2026).

  
  

Medical information disclaimer

This article is provided for general awareness and educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always follow the advice of emergency services and qualified healthcare professionals in a medical emergency. Guidance reflects UK first aid recommendations at the time of publication.

Article information

Title: Listen to Your Heart This Valentine’s Day: Angina, Heart Attacks and Cardiac Arrest Explained

Organisation: Slanjava Learning Ltd | Helping others to help others

First published: February 2026

Last reviewed: February 2026

Next review due: February 2027 or following major UK guidance updates