Heart Attacks in Grand Rapids, MI: Symptoms, Treatment & Local Resources

Your heart is one of your most important muscles. It pumps blood carrying oxygen and nutrients to every part of your body. For your heart to work properly, it needs a steady, healthy blood supply from the coronary arteries.

A heart attack, also called a myocardial infarction (MI), happens when one or more of these arteries becomes blocked. This cuts off blood flow and reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the heart muscle, which can cause permanent damage or be life-threatening.

In Grand Rapids and across West Michigan, quick recognition and treatment of a heart attack can be lifesaving. Local hospitals like Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health are equipped with 24/7 emergency heart care, but you must get there quickly.

Why Fast Action Matters

The longer a coronary artery stays blocked, the more heart muscle is damaged. Early treatment can:

  • Limit permanent heart damage
  • Reduce the risk of complications
  • Improve your chances of survival and recovery

In Grand Rapids, calling 911 activates Kent County EMS, which can start diagnosis and treatment in the ambulance and take you directly to the nearest hospital with a cardiac catheterization lab.

Do not drive yourself or have someone else drive you if you think you’re having a heart attack—call 911.

Common Heart Attack Warning Signs

Heart attack symptoms can come on suddenly or build up over minutes. They usually last 10 minutes or longer and may come and go or get worse with time.

Typical Symptoms

You may feel one or more of the following in your chest or upper body:

  • Pain, pressure, heaviness, tightness, or discomfort in the center of the chest
  • Pain or discomfort that spreads to the:
    • Shoulder (often the left, but can be either)
    • Arm(s)
    • Neck
    • Jaw
    • Back (especially upper back)

Other common warning signs include:

  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Nausea, indigestion, or vomiting
  • Dizziness, light-headedness, or feeling faint
  • Sweating or breaking out in a cold sweat
  • Unusual or extreme fatigue (feeling very tired)

You may have only one of these symptoms or several together.

Heart Attack Symptoms in Women

Although chest pain is still the most common heart attack symptom in both men and women, women in Grand Rapids are more likely than men to experience:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Back, neck, or jaw pain
  • Unusual fatigue or weakness
  • Light-headedness or fainting

These symptoms may be more subtle than the “classic” crushing chest pain often seen in men. Because they can be mistaken for flu, stress, or indigestion—especially during Michigan’s cold and flu season—women sometimes delay getting help.

If you are a woman and notice new, severe, or unusual symptoms, especially if you have risk factors (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, obesity, family history), call 911.

Silent Heart Attacks

Some people experience a “silent” heart attack, with no obvious symptoms or only very mild ones. These may be discovered later on an electrocardiogram (ECG) or heart imaging test done for another reason.

People with diabetes, older adults, and those with nerve damage are at higher risk of a silent heart attack.

Regular checkups with your Grand Rapids primary care provider or cardiologist are important to catch heart problems early.

What To Do if You Suspect a Heart Attack in Grand Rapids

If you or someone near you has symptoms that:

  • Are severe,
  • Are getting worse, or
  • Last more than 10 minutes

Take action immediately:

  1. Call 911 right away.
    • Ask for an ambulance. Kent County paramedics can begin treatment on the way to the hospital.
  2. Rest while you wait.
    • Sit or lie down in a comfortable position. Stay calm and still.
  3. Do not drive yourself to the hospital.
  4. If advised by a healthcare professional and you are not allergic, you may be told to chew an aspirin (never delay calling 911 to do this).

In an emergency in Grand Rapids, the nearest emergency departments include:

  • Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital (downtown Grand Rapids)
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
  • Mercy Health emergency locations in the metro area

What Causes a Heart Attack?

The most common cause of a heart attack is coronary heart disease (CHD).

Coronary Heart Disease and Plaque Buildup

Over time, fatty deposits called plaque (or atheroma) can build up on the inner walls of your coronary arteries. This process, called atherosclerosis, causes the arteries to become:

  • Narrower
  • Stiffer
  • More likely to become blocked

How a Heart Attack Happens

A heart attack usually occurs when:

  1. A plaque in a coronary artery ruptures (tears).
  2. A blood clot forms at the site of the rupture.
  3. The clot blocks blood flow through the artery.
  4. The part of the heart muscle supplied by that artery becomes starved of oxygen and begins to die.

Less Common Causes

Less common causes of heart attacks include:

  • Coronary artery spasm – sudden tightening (contraction) of a coronary artery that briefly reduces or blocks blood flow
  • Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) – a tear in the coronary artery wall

Regardless of the cause, a heart attack is always a medical emergency.

Diagnosis and Treatment Often Start in the Ambulance

In Grand Rapids, EMS teams are trained to begin heart attack care before you arrive at the hospital.

In the Ambulance

Paramedics may:

  • Record an electrocardiogram (ECG) to check the electrical activity of your heart
  • Give oxygen (if needed)
  • Provide pain relief
  • Start an IV line for medications
  • Call ahead to the emergency department or cardiac catheterization lab so the hospital team is ready when you arrive

At the Hospital

Once you reach the emergency department at a Grand Rapids hospital, further tests help confirm a heart attack and measure how much damage has occurred:

  • Electrocardiogram (ECG):

    • Detects abnormal heart rhythms and patterns that suggest a heart attack

  • Blood tests (including troponin):

    • Measure levels of heart muscle proteins (enzymes) released into the blood when the heart is damaged

  • Coronary angiogram:

    • A long, thin tube (catheter) is inserted into an artery in your wrist (or sometimes your groin)
    • The catheter is threaded to your heart
    • A special dye is injected and X-ray images are taken
    • The images show where the coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked

Because time is muscle, treatment to restore blood flow begins as quickly as possible.

Emergency Heart Attack Treatments

Medications

To treat your heart attack in the ambulance or hospital, your doctor may use:

Thrombolysis (Clot-Busting Therapy)

  • A thrombolytic (“clot-busting”) medication is given through an IV drip
  • It dissolves blood clots that are narrowing or blocking a coronary artery
  • Restoring blood flow helps limit heart muscle damage

This is more common when immediate access to a catheterization lab (for angioplasty and stenting) is not available, but Grand Rapids hospitals often prioritize rapid angioplasty when possible.

Procedures: Angioplasty, Stents, and Bypass Surgery

Some people need procedures to open blocked arteries and restore blood flow:

Coronary Angioplasty and Stent Insertion

  • A catheter with a small balloon on the tip is guided into the blocked coronary artery
  • The balloon is inflated to widen the artery
  • A tiny, expandable metal mesh tube called a stent is placed at the blockage site
  • The balloon is deflated and removed, but the stent remains to keep the artery open
  • This improves blood flow to your heart muscle

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery

  • A heart surgeon uses a healthy blood vessel (vein or artery) from your arm, leg, or chest
  • The new vessel is attached above and below the blocked area, creating a bypass route for blood
  • Blood can flow around the blockage to reach your heart muscle again

These procedures are performed at major Grand Rapids hospitals with cardiac surgery programs, such as Corewell Health and Trinity Health Grand Rapids.

Long-Term Medicines After a Heart Attack

To reduce the risk of another heart attack, your doctor will start you on medicines while you’re in the hospital. You will usually need to take them long-term.

Commonly prescribed medicines include:

  • Antithrombotic medicines (anticoagulants):

    • Help prevent blood clots from forming or growing

  • Antiplatelet medicines:

    • Make platelets less “sticky” and reduce the risk of clots in stents and coronary arteries

  • Blood pressure medicines:

    • ACE inhibitors (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors) – relax blood vessels, lower blood pressure, and reduce strain on your heart
    • ARBs (angiotensin II receptor blockers) – similar to ACE inhibitors; used if ACE inhibitors are not tolerated
    • Beta blockers – lower blood pressure, slow heart rate, and help regulate rhythm

  • Cholesterol-modifying medicines (statins and others):

    • Lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol
    • Help stabilize plaques and reduce future heart attack risk

It is very important to:

  • Take your medicines exactly as prescribed
  • Do not stop any medicine unless your doctor or cardiologist tells you to
  • Have regular check-ups with your Grand Rapids primary care provider or cardiologist so they can adjust doses as needed

Over-the-Counter Medicines and Heart Medications

Many over-the-counter (OTC) medicines can interact with heart medicines, including:

  • Pain relievers (such as some NSAIDs)
  • Cold and flu medicines
  • Herbal supplements and vitamins

Before taking any OTC medicine from a pharmacy, supermarket, or health food store in Grand Rapids, always:

  • Check with your doctor or pharmacist
  • Tell them which heart medicines you are taking

Cardiac Rehabilitation in Grand Rapids

A heart attack can be life-changing. It is normal to feel scared, confused, anxious, or overwhelmed afterward.

Cardiac rehabilitation (cardiac rehab) is a structured program of:

  • Supervised exercise
  • Education about heart health
  • Support for emotional wellbeing and lifestyle changes

Cardiac rehab programs in Grand Rapids—often run through Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and other local providers—are designed to:

  • Help you recover safely
  • Improve your fitness and confidence
  • Reduce your risk of another heart attack
  • Support you in returning to a full and active life

Ask your hospital team, cardiologist, or primary care provider for a referral to a local cardiac rehab program tailored to your needs.

Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Another Heart Attack

Medicines are important, but lifestyle changes are equally critical to protect your heart.

In Grand Rapids and West Michigan, consider these heart-healthy habits:

1. Quit Smoking

  • Stop smoking and avoid second-hand smoke
  • Michigan offers quit-smoking resources; your doctor or the Kent County Health Department can connect you with local programs

2. Be Physically Active

  • Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity most weeks (as advised by your doctor)
  • In winter, when outdoor activity is harder due to cold and snow, consider:
    • Indoor walking at malls or community centers
    • Home exercise videos or stationary cycling
    • Supervised exercise through cardiac rehab

3. Follow a Heart-Healthy Eating Pattern

  • Focus on:
    • Fruits and vegetables
    • Whole grains
    • Lean proteins (fish, poultry, beans)
    • Healthy fats (olive oil, nuts)
  • Limit:
    • Saturated and trans fats
    • Salt (sodium)
    • Added sugars
    • Highly processed foods

Grand Rapids has many farmers markets and local produce options, especially in warmer months, that support a heart-healthy diet.

4. Drink Less Alcohol

  • If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation or as advised by your doctor

5. Maintain a Healthy Weight

  • Work with your healthcare team to set realistic weight goals
  • Combine healthy eating with regular physical activity

6. Manage Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, and Blood Sugar

  • Have regular checks with your Grand Rapids provider to:
    • Monitor blood pressure
    • Check cholesterol levels
    • Monitor blood sugar, especially if you have diabetes

Cold weather and less activity in Michigan winters can worsen blood pressure and weight, so staying on top of these numbers is especially important.

7. Look After Your Mental Health

  • Anxiety and depression are common after a heart attack
  • Talk to your doctor if you feel persistently sad, worried, or hopeless
  • Consider counseling, support groups, or local mental health resources in Grand Rapids

Support Groups and Community Resources in Grand Rapids

Connecting with others who have experienced a heart attack can provide:

  • Emotional support
  • Practical advice
  • Motivation to maintain healthy habits

Look for:

  • Cardiac support groups through local hospitals (Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health)
  • Walking groups and wellness programs in Grand Rapids parks and community centers (weather permitting)
  • Resources from Grand Rapids Public Health and the Kent County Health Department

Ask your cardiac rehab team or cardiologist for information about support groups in the Grand Rapids area.

Heart Attack Risk Check

To find out your risk of having a heart attack, ask your doctor about a Heart Health Check, which may include:

  • Review of your medical and family history
  • Blood pressure measurement
  • Cholesterol and blood sugar tests
  • Discussion of lifestyle factors (diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol)

Regular preventive care with a Grand Rapids primary care provider can help catch problems early.

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids, MI

  • In an emergency: Call 911 immediately
  • Your primary care provider (GP)
  • Cardiologist (heart specialist)
  • Emergency departments at:
    • Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health emergency locations
  • Kent County Health Department – for community health resources and prevention programs
  • Grand Rapids Public Health – for local wellness and heart health initiatives

For medical questions, always speak with your doctor, cardiologist, or pharmacist. They can provide guidance specific to your health, medications, and risk factors.

Key Points About Heart Attacks in Grand Rapids

  • Your heart is a vital muscle that needs a healthy blood supply to function.
  • A heart attack happens when blood flow in a coronary artery is blocked, usually by a clot forming on a plaque.
  • Recognizing the warning signs and calling 911 immediately can save your life.
  • Some heart attacks are “silent” or have mild symptoms—especially in women and people with diabetes.
  • Diagnosis and treatment often begin in the ambulance and continue in the hospital.
  • Treatments may include medicines, angioplasty and stents, or bypass surgery.
  • Long-term medications, cardiac rehab, and lifestyle changes greatly reduce the risk of another heart attack.
  • Local hospitals and health departments in Grand Rapids offer strong support for heart attack care, recovery, and prevention.