Heart Attack: Symptoms, Causes and Prevention

Heart Attack: Symptoms, Causes, and Prevention

A heart attack is medically termed as Myocardial Infarction. It is a life-threatening medical emergency where the blood supply to the heart is suddenly blocked, mostly because of blood clots.

Symptoms :

• Pain in the chest, severe pressing pain is experienced which radiates towards jaws, neck left arm and sometimes even back.
• Shortness of breath
• Sense of anxiety
• Lightheadedness

In few of the cases, no chest pain is experienced, in some cases, the pain is thought to be associated with indigestion. If any two symptoms suggesting heart attack is seen then you should go to the hospital. The severity of pain is not a determining factor for heart attack.

Causes :

• Coronary heart disease is the major cause of heart attack. In coronary heart disease, the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart is clogged mostly because of atherosclerosis. If the cholesterol plaque is detached forming a clot. These clots can further permanently block the blood supply to the heart.
• Obesity
• Hypertension
• Smoking
• High blood cholesterol levels
• Few drugs like cocaine
• Carbon monoxide poisoning

Risk factors :

• Men older than 45 years are more likely to suffer from a heart attack, however, women over 55 years are more prone to have a heart attack.
• Tobacco smokers
• People who suffer from uncontrolled diabetes
• Family history
• People suffering from uncontrolled hypertension
• People having high blood cholesterol levels
• Uncontrolled stress

Complications :

• Irregular heartbeat usually tachycardia leading to Cardiac arrest
• Cardiogenic shock
• Rupture of heart muscles or valves.

The complications have an impact insidiously soon after heart attack leading to death.

The complications are directly proportional to age.

Prevention :

• Quit smoking
• Reduce your weight if you are obese
• Exercise regularly, unless you are advised not to do so
• Eat healthy food, make sure that your food is rich in fibre and low in unhealthy fat
• Reduce alcohol consumption

When to see a doctor :

When you experience chest discomfort, with Nausea, breathlessness, and anxiety. If you have any two of the symptoms of a heart attack go to the emergency. Tell your doctor about your family history and also your medical history.

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Heart Attack Rewind

Cardiovascular Diseases: Common Disorders and Procedures

Did you know that globally Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) cause 17 million deaths globally and the world’s most common cause of death?

The consumption of trans-fats increases the risk of Cardiovascular Diseases, like coronary heart disease and stroke. The intake of trans-fat, a major precursor for heart disease, globally causes 5 million deaths alone.

To combat this global health threat, the World Health Organization (WHO) has targeted for the complete elimination of industrially-produced trans-fat from the global food supply by 2023. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) have launched The “Heart Attack Rewind” campaign, which is targeting to cut down industrially-produced trans-fats to 2%, from currently permitted level of 5%.

The “Heart Attack Rewind” campaign launched by India is planning to do away with the ‘bad cholesterol’ from the food supply by 2022.

The common Heart Related Disorders:

1. Ischemia means the absence of blood flow to the organ or body tissues, while Infarction means the death of tissues due to reduced blood supply. Reduced blood supply leads to the shortage of oxygen supply to the affected organ or body tissue. (The difference and Similarities: Ischemia and Infarction)
2. Arterial fibrillation is a condition where there is irregular heartbeat usually rapid heartbeat because the atrium beat at irregular intervals losing its coordination with the ventricle. The increased heart rate increases the risk of heart failure. (know Random ARTERIAL FIBRILLATION Tips)
3. Coronary artery disease is a condition where there is blockage in the coronary arteries. Since coronary artery is a major artery which supplies the heart muscles with oxygen and nutrients its very important that there is no obstruction in its flow as it can further cause ischemia.

The common heart related Procedures:

1. Coronary Angioplasty is a treatment to restore the blood flow in a narrowed or blocked coronary artery. The reason for a blockage could be a plaque or blood clots. Such blockages can lead to chest discomfort.
2. Over time the plague deposit can narrow the blood vessels so much that the normal blood flow is restricted. In some cases, the coronary arteries become so narrow that the heart muscles itself are in danger. In such a case, Cardiac Bypass Surgery is performed.
3. Heart Transplant or Cardiac Transplant is a surgical procedure in which a diseased heart (of a recipient) gets transplanted for a healthy heart (from a donor).

 

Heart Attack: Symptoms, Causes and Prevention