What is a Heart Attack?
A heart attack occurs when one of the coronary arteries becomes severely or completely blocked, usually due to a blood clot. The severity of a heart attack generally depends on how much of the heart muscle is injured during the heart attack. It is also known as Myocardial infarction because part of the heart muscle (myocardium) might die (infarction). A heart attack leads to permanent heart damage or death.
Heart Attack Causes
A coronary attack (heart attack) occurs when the blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked (often by a blood clot). This happens because coronary arteries that supply the heart with blood slowly become thicker and harder from a buildup of fat, cholesterol and other substances called plaque.
If the plaque breaks open and a blood clot is formed that blocks the blood flow, a heart attack occurs. The heart muscle supplied by that artery begins to die. Damage increases the longer an artery stays blocked. Once the heart muscle dies, the result is permanent heart damage.
Heart Attack Symptoms
The main symptom of a heart attack is chest pain that is unrelieved by rest and often spreads or radiates through the upper body to the arms, neck, shoulders or jaw. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness, sweating or nausea. In contrast with men, women are more likely to feel fatigue or nausea prior to a heart attack. In diabetic patients, the symptoms may be very mild or silent.
The symptoms of a heart attack can vary from person to person. While some people may experience only mild heart attack symptoms, others may experience severe symptoms. If an individual experiences any early signs or symptoms of a heart attack, they must seek medical attention as soon as possible. The sooner a heart attack treatment is started, the less damage is done to the heart muscle.
Heart Attack Risk Factors
Risk factors for heart disease include Hypertension (high blood pressure), Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), a family history of Heart Disease (particularly Premature Coronary Artery Disease), Cigarette Smoking, Sedentary Lifestyle and Diabetes.
Smoking – Increases the risk of heart attack three to four times over non-smokers. Smoking can cause artery muscles to contract, reducing blood flow to the heart.
High Blood Pressure – Causes blood to press too hard against the walls of the arteries, damaging the arteries and promoting the development of hardening of coronary arteries.
High Cholesterol: A fat substance found in foods of animal origin. High levels of cholesterol contribute to the formation of fatty buildup along the inside lining of the arteries, blocking the flow of blood.
High Triglycerides: A fat found in the blood and are the end product of sugar breakdown that contributes to plaque formation. Limited intake of sugars, starches and alcohol is recommended.
Diabetes: Diabetics are more than twice as likely to develop heart disease. Diabetes damages the artery walls and increases the risk of plaque formation. Diabetics need to keep their blood sugar levels normal and control their cholesterol and triglycerides. Check out the 25 foods to lower triglycerides.
Excessive Alcohol And Caffeine Intake Can raise cholesterol by raising the fat level in the blood. Alcohol consumption must be limited. Limit beverages with caffeine to two cups per day.
Obesity: Being overweight puts a direct strain on the heart. In the case of overweight people, the heart has to work harder to supply the extra tissue with blood. Losing weight decreases the cholesterol level and lowers the blood pressure.
Lack of Exercise: A balance of rest, relaxation and activity is needed for a healthy body. A balanced exercise programme is recommended.
Heart Attack Treatment
The goal of a heart attack treatment is restoring the flow of blood to the heart muscle as quickly as possible. This can be done with medications, procedures, or surgery.
Medications
Medications used to treat a heart attack include:
Aspirin: Aspirin helps to prevent blood clots from forming. It is usually given as soon as possible after a heart attack.
Clot-busting Drugs: These drugs help to break up blood clots that are blocking blood flow to the heart. They are usually given within 12 hours of the start of symptoms.
Blood Thinners: These drugs help to prevent blood clots from forming in the future. They are often taken for several months after a heart attack.
Procedures
Procedures used to treat a heart attack include:
Coronary Angioplasty and Stenting: Coronary Angioplasty is used to open a blocked artery. A thin tube with a balloon at the end is inserted into the artery, and the balloon is inflated to widen the artery. The procedure may also require stenting, wherein a stent, which is a small mesh tube, is inserted into a blocked artery to keep it open.
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG): Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery is used to create a new path for blood to flow around a blocked artery. A blood vessel from another part of the body is grafted to the coronary artery. Surgery may be needed if other treatments are not successful or if the heart muscle is severely damaged.
How is Angina Different from a Heart Attack?
Angina pain is not the same as a Heart Attack. However, people with Angina have difficulty telling the difference between Angina symptoms and symptoms of a heart attack. Angina is a recurring pain or discomfort in the chest that happens when some part of the heart does not receive enough blood, temporarily. A person may notice it during exertion, such as while climbing stairs. It is usually relieved within a few minutes by resting or by taking medicines prescribed for Angina. People who have been diagnosed with Angina, though, have a greater risk of attack than other people. Prolonged Angina pain can lead to a heart attack.
What is Heart Failure?
Heart failure is the inability of the heart to pump out sufficient blood to meet the needs of the body. The pumping function of the heart is divided into two phases. First, the ability of the heart to relax properly so that blood can return into the relaxed heart is called diastole, and secondly, the ability to be actively pumped out to the body is called systole. When the heart begins to malfunction, both of these functions become abnormal, usually.