heart attack
When an artery that supplies the heart with blood and oxygen becomes blocked, the heart suffers a heart attack. Over time, deposits rich in fat and cholesterol accumulate in the heart's arteries, forming plaques. A blood clot may form if a plaque bursts. A heart attack may result from the clot obstructing arteries. The tissue in the heart muscle dies during a heart attack due to a reduction in blood flow.Another term for a heart attack is myocardial infarction.In order to avoid death from a heart attack, prompt medical attention is required. If you believe you may be having a heart attack, dial 911 or get emergency help.
Signs and symptoms
Heart attack symptoms can vary. Some people only experience minor symptoms. Some people have quite serious symptoms. Some people don't exhibit any symptoms.
Typical signs of a heart attack include:
Chest pain that can have an aching, squeezing, tightening, or pressing sensation
Pain or discomfort radiating to the back, neck, jaw, teeth, shoulder, arm, or occasionally the upper abdomen
Sweat with coldness
Weary
Indigestion or heartburn
udden dizziness or lightheadedness
emesis
Breathlessness
Unusual symptoms in women can include sudden, intense pain in the back, arms, or neck. Sudden cardiac arrest can occasionally be the initial indication of a heart attack.Certain heart attacks happen unexpectedly. However, a lot of people experience symptoms and warning signs hours, days, or weeks in advance. Angina, or persistent chest pressure that does not go away with rest, may be a precursor to more serious problems. Angina is brought on by a transient reduction in the heart's blood supply.
When to visit a physician
If you believe you are having a heart attack, get help immediately. Follow these actions:Make an emergency medical assistance call. Dial 911 or your local emergency number right away if you believe you are having a heart attack. Get a ride to the closest hospital if emergency medical services are not available to you. If you have no other choice than to drive yourself
If your doctor has prescribed nitroglycerin, take it as directed. As directed, take it and wait for emergency assistance. If aspirin is advised, take it. By preventing blood clotting, taking aspirin during a heart attack may lessen heart damage.Aspirin and other medications may interact. Unless directed by your healthcare provider or emergency medical personnel, avoid taking aspirins. Don't wait to dial 911.
How to respond if you witness someone who appears to be having a heart attack
In case you suspect someone unconscious is having a heart attack, don't hesitate to contact 911 or your local emergency number. Next, see if there is a pulse and that the person is breathing. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation should only be started if the patient is not breathing or if there is no pulse. (CPR).Perform hands-only CPR if you lack the necessary training. That entails applying force and speed to the patient's chest, averaging between 100 and 120 compressions per minute.If you have received CPR training and feel competent, begin by performing 30 chest compressions before administering two rescue breaths.
Factors
Most heart attacks are caused by coronary artery disease. One or more of the heart's (coronary) arteries are clogged in coronary artery disease. Plaques, which are deposits made of cholesterol, are typically to blame for this. Blood flow to the heart can be decreased by plaques that narrow the arteries.
A blood clot in the heart may result from a plaque break.
A heart (coronary) artery blockage, either partial or total, can result in a heart attack. Whether an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) reveals any particular abnormalities (ST elevation) that call for immediate, invasive treatment is one way to categorize heart attacks. These heart attack types may be described by your healthcare provider based on the results of an electrocardiogram (ECG).Acute total occlusion of a medium-sized or large cardiac artery typically indicates
A non-ST elevation myocardial infarction is frequently indicated by a partial blockage (NSTEMI). On the other hand, a complete blockage occurs in certain patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).
Blocked arteries are not the cause of every heart attack. Additional reasons consist of:
angina pectoris spasm. This is a severe, unblockable blood vessel squeezing. Typically, the artery has plaques made of cholesterol or the vessel has hardened prematurely as a result of smoking or other risk factors. Variant angina, vasospastic angina, and Prinzmetal's angina are other terms for coronary artery spasms.
specific infections. Viral infections, including COVID-19, have the potential to harm cardiac muscle.
Coronary artery dissection that occurs on its own (SCAD). An internal tear in a heart artery is the cause of this potentially fatal illness
Factors at risk
Heart attack risk factors consist of:
Years old. Heart attacks are more common in men and women over 45 and over 55 than in younger generations.
tobacco consumption. Both smoking and prolonged exposure to secondhand smoke fall under this category. Give up smoking if you do.
elevated blood pressure. High blood pressure over time can harm the arteries that supply the heart. The risk is further increased when high blood pressure coexists with other illnesses like diabetes, obesity, or high cholesterol.
high triglycerides or cholesterol. Most likely, arteries will narrow due to elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, also known as the "bad" cholesterol. The risk of a heart attack is further increased by elevated levels of triglycerides, a type of blood fat. The chance of a heart attack may decrease if levels
Being overweight. High blood pressure, diabetes, low levels of good cholesterol, high levels of triglycerides, and low levels of bad cholesterol are all associated with obesity.
Diabetes. When the body either cannot produce enough of the hormone insulin or cannot use it properly, blood sugar levels rise. An elevated blood sugar level raises the chance of a heart attack.
syndrome of metabolism. This is a result of the interaction of at least three of the following conditions: high blood pressure, low good cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, elevated blood sugar, and enlarged waist (central obesity). Heart disease is twice as likely to occur in people with metabolic syndrome as in those without it.
Heart attack history in the family. If a parent, grandparent, sibling, or other close relative suffered a heart attack before the age of 55 for men and 65 for women,.
Difficulties
Damage to the heart muscles frequently results in heart attack complications. The following are possible heart attack complications:
cardiac rhythms that are abnormal or irregular (arrhythmias). Changes in heartbeat can result from damage to the heart attack that alters the electrical signals that travel through the heart. Some could be fatal or extremely dangerous.
shock with a heartbeat. This uncommon illness happens when the heart's ability to pump blood is suddenly and suddenly cut off.
heart breakdown. The heart may become unable to pump blood if the heart muscle tissue sustains significant damage. Heart failure may be chronic (long-lasting) or transient.
Pericarditis is the inflammation of the sac-like tissue that surrounds the heart. Sometimes an immune system reaction goes awry due to a heart attack. Dressler syndrome, postmyocardial infarction syndrome, or postcardiac injury syndrome are some names for this illness.
arrest of the heart
Avoidance
Even if you've already experienced a heart attack, there's always time to take preventative measures. Here's how to avoid having a heart attack.
Maintain a healthy way of life. Avoid smoking. Eat a heart-healthy diet and stay within a healthy weight range. Exercise frequently and control your stress.
Handle additional medical issues. Diabetes and high blood pressure are two diseases that can make heart attacks more likely. Find out from your doctor how frequently you should get checked out.
Adhere to the directions on medication. Medication to safeguard and enhance the health of your heart may be prescribed by your healthcare provider.
It's also a good idea to become properly trained in CPR so that you can assist someone experiencing a heart attack. Think about enrolling in a recognized first-aid course that teaches CPR and how to
You must be logged in to post a comment.