Heart attack is a condition that affects the cardiovascular system. Several millions of individuals experience this condition every year. Also referred to as Myocardial Infarctions (Myo means muscle; Cardiac means heart), it can result in lasting damage to the heart muscles.
A person gets a heart attack when the heart’s blood flow and oxygen supply are blocked because of a blood clot in the coronary artery. Due to a lack of blood and oxygen, the heart stops functioning. It is a medical emergency that needs immediate heart attack treatment. We will further explore essential things one may need to know about a heart attack.
Symptoms of Heart Attack
Many individuals experience some symptoms for several hours or days in advance, though a heart attack may strike some others suddenly. The earliest sign to watch out for is recurring chest pain or angina (pressure) triggered by physical activity and settling down after resting.
The main symptoms of heart attack are:
- Feeling of pain, stiffness, or aching in the chest
- Discomfort and pain in the jaw and neck
- Indigestion or feeling of chocking and heartburn
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea and vomiting
- Anxiety
- Irregular or rapid heartbeat
Women are more likely to experience the below-listed heart attack symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Unusual fatigue
- Vomiting or nausea
- Light-headedness or dizziness
- Discomfort in the upper back, neck, or shoulder
- Discomfort in the gut
Causes of Heart Attack
Around 80 percent of heart attacks are caused by a blockage in the coronary artery, because of which it becomes narrow and complex due to the build-up of plaque.
Other possible causes for heart attack include:
- Overuse of drugs like cocaine, which cause the blood vessels to narrow
- Low oxygen level in the blood
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Stress
- Autoimmune diseases
Treatment for Heart Attack
Standard heart attack treatment includes:
- Medications
Few medications are given to the patient, including aspirin, pain relievers, and antiplatelet agents. All these medicines will help to manage pain and dissolve blood clots. Aspirin is used to stop blood clotting as clotting can worsen the heart attack. Antiplatelet medicines such as Ticagrelor, Prasugrel, or Clopidogrel are also used to cease clotting. Thrombolytic therapy or clot busters can dissolve blood clots in the arteries. Doctors may decide to use any of these or a combination of these depending on the patient’s condition.
- Surgery
1) Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery:
In rare cases, the doctor performs bypass surgery to avoid complications. Generally, this surgery is done one week after a heart attack. A healthy blood vessel is taken and connected above or below the narrowed artery in the heart.
2) Coronary Angioplasty and Stenting:
This surgical procedure is done to open the clogged arteries. Here, a tiny tube is inserted into a blocked blood vessel to help widen it and maintain necessary blood flow and oxygen to the heart.
A heart attack can be life-threatening and needs immediate medical assistance. If anyone has symptoms of a heart attack, take him to the casualty immediately and get treatment.
Treatments may help to some extent, but they don’t ensure a complete cure. Patients may still experience another attack in the future. It’s possible to reduce the probability by following a healthy lifestyle, taking medications on time, regular follow-ups with doctors, and attending cardiac rehabilitation programs.
