Heart Attack: Symptom, Causes & Treatment

Heart attack is referred to as a myocardial infarction, this health complication comes into being when a part of heart muscles is deprived of blood flow due to a blockage. This blockage has the potential to harm or destroy heart tissues. If prompt action is not taken, the individual may experience dire repercussions. Thus it is imperative to stay informed about certain symptoms to be aware of, risk factors to consider, and treatments that are available.

In his blog, Dr. Viveka, an interventional cardiologist in Delhi, describes what a heart attack is, how risk factors, symptoms and causes, as well as treatment options for the ailments can result in a heart complication.

What is a Heart Attack?

A heart attack occurs when one or more coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart, become blocked. The severity depends on the affected arteries and the duration of blockage. Most blockages result from plaque buildup of fat, cholesterol, and other substances. If the plaque ruptures, a clot forms, fully blocking the artery and cutting off blood flow to the heart muscle.

What Causes Heart Attacks?

The most common reason behind heart attacks is coronary artery disease (CAD). This happens when plaque develops over time in the arteries and, over time, restricts blood flow. Though this might be the main reason, there are other factors that can increase the risk of CAD that can prove fatal.

Some of them include:

• Atherosclerosis: The plaque that builds up in the arteries can restrict and even completely block blood circulation.
• Cholesterolemia: The ‘bad lipoprotein’ (LDL) substantiates the development of plaque which will narrow arteries.
• Hypertension: Continuous elevated high blood pressure might lead to arterial walls health issues which put them at risk of getting plaque deposited or broken.
• Tobacco Use: Smoking has detrimental effects on the blood vessels system that eventually leads to plaque deposition.
• Hyperglycemia: Increased sugar levels can worsen conditions, leading to higher chances of heart disease due to blood vessel damage.
• Obesity: Increased weight leads to the chances of having diabetes, high cholesterol, and even hypertension, all of these contribute to heart attacks.
• Sedentary Lifestyle: Lack of physical activity increases the chances of gaining weight, which leads to heart disease.

Symptoms of a Heart Attack

To take prompt action in medical emergencies, an individual has to be adept in the signs of a heart attack. Some common ones are stated below but are not limited to the ones mentioned:

• Chest Pain or Discomfort: This may feel like a feeling of pressure, tightness, squeezing, or fullness in the chest. It often lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.
• Shortness Of Breath: Difficulty in breathing, especially during physical activity or when resting.
• Pain in the Upper Body: Pain may radiate to the arms, back, neck, jaw, or even stomach.
• Nausea Or Lightheadedness: These are often associated with feeling dizzy or like one is about to faint, which is characteristic of a heart attack, especially in women.
• Cold Sweats: Sweating excessively even when at rest.
• Fatigue: This refers to unusual tiredness or weakness, which may occur days or even weeks before a heart attack.

It is worth mentioning that not all individuals have the same symptoms. Some may only have mild discomfort while another person may experience severe pain. Make sure that if any of these symptoms appear, you seek medical checkup without wasting any time.

Steps To Take If A Heart Attack Is Suspected

When there is a suspicion that a heart attack is occurring, either for oneself or an onlooker, seek medical help immediately. Making the right decisions in the first minutes can make all the difference when it comes to recovering from the heart attack.

Here’s how:

• Call the ambulance: This should be the first step after noticing heart attack symptoms. For instance, in the USA dial 911. Remember, time is precious.
• Take aspirin: If the individual is awake, chewing on an uncoated aspirin will help lessen the chances of any damage. It’s wise to first check for any known allergies against the medicine.
• Manage stress: Try to stay calm and reassure yourself that help is on the way. Although difficult, staying still while waiting is the best option.

Methods of Treating Heart Attacks

As soon as admission is secured at the hospital, an evaluation will determine the required treatment. The following are the commonly used treatments for heart attacks:

1. Medications

• Aspirin: To prevent blood clotting and reduce the risk of further blockage.
• Thrombolytics: These clot-buster medications allow for the dissolving of the clots formed within blocked arteries.
• Antiplatelets: These target pre-existing clots and inhibit further clot formation.
• Beta-blockers: These reduce energy expenditure of the heart while promoting heart rate stability.
• ACE inhibitors: These help in vascular dilation and thus reduce the burden on the heart.

2. Angioplasty and Stenting

In most cases, the best heart doctor in Delhi carries out a procedure known as angioplasty, in which the obstructed artery is dilated. During angioplasty, a catheter-tipped balloon is inflated in the constricted artery to restore normal blood flow. Stenting may also be performed where a small mesh tube is inserted to maintain patency and prevent reocclusion.

3. Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery (CABG)

If the obstruction is considerable or is present in several arteries, then the best heart doctor in Delhi may recommend Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG). This is the procedure in which blood vessels from other regions of the body are utilized to bypass the obstructed arteries and create new channels for the blood to flow.

4. Cardiac Rehabilitation

It is common to recommend cardiac rehabilitation for patients after a cardiac arrest to facilitate their recovery process. During this program, the patients are provided with physical training, counseling, and guidance on heart-healthy habits to prevent heart problems in the future.

Preventing Heart Attacks: Honor Your Heart

It is a well-known fact that heart attacks happen unexpectedly, but this ailment still has plenty of preventable risk factors. In order to limit the risk of suffering from a heart attack, Dr. Viveka, an interventional cardiologist in Delhi, focuses on heart attack prevention with the following steps:

• Eat a balanced diet: Prefer unprocessed foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and nuts.
• Exercise regularly: Moderate exercise for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week helps maintain a healthy heart.
• Quit smoking: Smoking is a major contributor to heart disease and heart attacks.
• Manage stress: Finding healthy ways to relieve stress, such as meditation and yoga, can significantly reduce the chances of suffering heart disease.
• Monitor your health: The best heart doctor in Delhi encourages all patients to schedule regular checkups and keep track of their cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.

Conclusion

A heart attack can be critical but can be treated and managed through lifestyle changes. Dr. Viveka is fiercely committed to helping his patients understand their heart conditions and reduce their risk of heart attacks. If you are worried about your heart’s health, it is better to consult Dr. Viveka now so that concerns can be addressed early. Take control of your heart health today.