Technically known as a myocardial infarction (MI), a heart attack is a serious event that occurs when blockage in the coronary artery prevents adequate blood from getting to the heart. While some people may experience shortness of breath or chest pain prior to their heart attacks, other cases occur without any symptoms. Because heart attacks are the leading cause of death for people in the United States, knowing the signs of a heart attack is important. Explore our articles to learn more about the causes, symptoms and treatments for heart attacks.