heart attack

You can use it literally in a hospital or doctor's office. You can use it figuratively with friends when something is shocking. Usually, we say someone or something 'gave' us a heart attack. For example, That loud noise gave me a heart attack! You can also use it to describe a high-price tag. If a dinner bill is $500, you might say, I almost had a heart attack when I saw the check!

Use it when you are genuinely surprised. Use it when you are telling a funny story about being scared. It works well when someone sneaks up on you. It is perfect for reacting to bad news that is shocking but not tragic. Use it when you see something incredibly expensive. It adds drama to your speech in a fun way.

Do not use the figurative version in a real hospital. Doctors need to know if you are actually sick. Avoid using it if someone nearby has actual heart problems. It might be seen as insensitive or rude. Don't use it for small, boring surprises. It is meant for high-energy moments. If you are in a very formal business meeting, stick to surprised or shocked instead.

Western culture uses medical metaphors for strong emotions. We use the heart to represent the center of our feelings. Since a heart attack is the ultimate physical shock, it became a slang term for emotional shock. In the 1970s and 80s, sitcoms popularized the 'clutching the chest' gesture for humor. Now, it is a standard part of daily English conversation. It shows how much we value dramatic expression.

You will often hear You nearly gave me a heart attack! Another common one is I almost had a heart attack. Sometimes people say My heart skipped a beat, which is a softer version. If you want to be more modern, you might say I'm dead or That scared the life out of me. All of these focus on the physical reaction to fear.