A heart attack, also known as myocardial infarction is a severe medical emergency where the blood supply which supplies oxygen and nutrients to heart muscles gets severely cut or completely off as the muscle starts to be damaged or begins to deteriorate. It is usually caused by an obstruction of the coronary blood vessels which provide blood to the heart. The absence of blood flow can result in permanent harm to the muscle of your heart, and could be life-threatening.
Heart attack in contrast to cardiac arrest
A heart attack differs from a cardiac arrest. In the second the heart ceases working completely, and it suddenly ceases to pump blood around your body. Both are medical emergencies.
What is the cause of an attack on the heart?
The most common cause of heart attacks is coronary heart disease. which is the most common cause of heart attacks is a condition that causes the coronary arteries narrow or become blocked. The blockage usually results from an accumulation of fat calcium, cholesterol and inflammatory cells that form a plaque on the arteries’ walls. A plaque can rupture, creating an blood clot near the point of rupture. The blood clot could deprive your heart muscles of oxygen, stopping flow of blood through the arteries leading to heart attacks.
Smoking and eating a high-fat diet high cholesterol, diabetes obesity and hypertension can increase your chances of developing coronary heart disease.
Senior citizens are more likely than young adults of suffering an attack on the heart. Check your health indicators frequently. The TruHealth Senior package can be booked here.
A spasm in the coronary artery is yet another reason for heart attacks. When you experience coronary spasms your arteries narrow or stop blood flow to a portion of the muscle of your heart. Smoking cigarettes and using stimulants like cocaine can trigger the heart to contract in a way that is life-threatening.
Heart attack symptoms
Some people suffering from heart attacks show indications or signs, while other people show no symptoms whatsoever. Heart attack symptoms that are reported by many people include.
Insomnia, sleep disturbances, severe breath shortness discomfort, stomach aches, or pain in the upper or back body, and a general feeling of not being well are a few typical symptoms of heart attacks in females. They can happen regardless of chest pain. Being aware of these symptoms early and seeking medical attention as soon as they occur is essential to ensure the life of a person.
How can we reduce the risk of having a heart attack?
Living a healthier and more active lifestyle is the best method to avoid having an attack on your heart. Changes in your lifestyle that you can make to prevent heart attack include:
- Eat a healthy diet
- Stop smoking
- Limit alcohol
- Lower your blood pressure
- Be aware of your cholesterol levels and your triglyceride levels
- Maintain an appropriate weight
Treatment for heart attack
Treatment and diagnosis of heart attack can be difficult and varies based on the kind of heart blockage you’ve suffered. A complete blockage signifies that you’ve experienced an st elevation myocardial infarction, while partial blockage implies that you’ve suffered from an un-st elevation myocardial injury. The treatment options differ for st-segment elevation myocardial infarction and st elevation myocardial infarction but there could have some overlap.
If you are suffering from an STMI, the most serious type that can result from heart attacks, you should seek immediate medical evaluation and treatment. It is essential to seek immediate treatment to open the coronary arteries, restoring the flow of blood to the heart muscle, and to reduce the damage to the heart muscle. Treatment can involve a variety of methods such as the use of drugs that dissolve clots and coronary angioplasty or bypass procedure, based on when your symptoms began and the time you are able to get the treatment. A coronary angiography test is performed first to determine your eligibility in undergoing coronary surgery.
The procedure of coronary angioplasty as well as stenting:
In this method also referred to as percutaneous coronary interventions doctors direct the long, thin tube that has a sausage-shape balloon at its beginning by an artery located in your arm or groin to a blockage within your heart. After the catheter has been placed in place it is then inflated to allow a coronary artery, and then restore blood flow. A stent that is flexible and made of metal typically is placed into the artery in order to keep it open after.
You could also receive blood thinners, such as low-dose aspirin, in order to prevent the formation of clots in the future. You might need to continue taking these medications for a certain time after having angioplasty. In certain situations coronary angioplasty might not be practical. In these cases the coronary bypass procedure might be thought of as an alternative option.
Coronary bypass surgery of the artery:
It involves taking the healthy blood vessel of an area within your body such as your arm, chest or leg and securing it to the coronary artery, both above and below the blocked or narrowed area and allowing blood flow to your heart to flow through the narrowed area. The likelihood is that you’ll be in the hospital for a couple of days after the flow of blood to your heart has been restored and your condition is stable.
If you are suffering from less severe forms heart attacks blood-thinning medications are typically advised to prevent the formation of blood clots. The drugs that reduce blood clots also known as fibrinolytics or thrombolytics are typically administered via injection.
In some instances, further treatment with angioplasty, or bypass surgery could be suggested in the case that are a result of non-st-elevation myocardial infarction as well as unstable angina following initial treatment with a variety of medicines.
Be aware but don’t panic:
A heart attack can be terrifying. Heart attacks can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. If anyone is experiencing symptoms of heart attacks, seek medical assistance immediately. If you seek immediate medical attention it is usually an excellent chance of having an outcome that is positive.