What is a Heart Attack?
Heart attack is a lay term for “myocardial infarction”. It is a medical emergency that occurs when the blood flow to a portion of the heart is severely reduced or completely cut off. As a result, it causes a lack of oxygen, which eventually leads to the death of the affected portion of the heart. The global prevalence of heart attack is three million. It is one of the leading causes of death in developed countries.
How does one get a Heart Attack?
Coronary arteries are the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart muscles. Therefore, anything that causes the reduced blood flow in coronary arteries can lead to a heart attack. In most cases, the deposition of fat, cholesterol, and other substances, also known as ‘atherosclerosis’, leads to the narrowing of the coronary arteries, resulting in decreased blood supply to the heart muscles.
Other conditions include when the heart cannot supply the heart’s demand. For example, a very high heart rate or too low blood pressure can also result in a heart attack.
Myocardial Infarction: A silent killer
Myocardial infarction is sometimes known as a ‘silent killer’, as it doesn’t exhibit any signs and symptoms in some cases. When a coronary artery narrows and restricts the blood flow, the surrounding blood vessels expand to compensate. Thus, there may be no warning signs.
What are the early warning signs of a Heart Attack?
- Chest discomfort/pain- One may feel discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes – or it may go away and then return. It can be uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
- Discomfort in other areas of the upper body- Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms/shoulder, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
- Shortness of breath:-Choking sensation, cough.
- Other signs- Other possible symptoms include profuse sweating, nausea, vomiting, and light-headedness.
Symptoms in Men v/s Women
- According to recent studies, diaphoresis (unusual degree of sweating) and bilateral arm radiating pain are common in men suffering from myocardial infarction.
- Women experience more shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, back pain, or jaw pain.
What to do if one suspects a Heart Attack?
- Immediately call for an ambulance. A person with a heart attack must be admitted to the hospital as soon as possible. It is advisable to have a list of emergency phone numbers saved on your phone.
- Do not ignore the symptoms. Some people do not want to believe they have a heart attack, and some might assume it is a false alarm.
How to avoid a Heart Attack?
- Quit smoking and avoid second-hand smoking.
- Periodically monitor blood pressure and blood sugar.
- Get treated and go for regular follow-ups with your physician if you have hypertension and/or diabetes.
- Eat food that is low in saturated fat, trans fat, sodium, and added sugars.
- Be physically active.
- Attain and maintain a healthy weight.
Author: Aditi Gurung, (Assistant Faculty, INFS)
References
- Mechanic, O., Gavin, M. and Grossman, S., 2022. Acute Myocardial Infarction. [online] Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Available at: <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459269/> [Accessed 14 June 2022].
- www.heart.org. 2022. Heart Attack Symptoms in Women. [online] Available at: <https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/warning-signs-of-a-heart-attack/heart-attack-symptoms-in-women> [Accessed 15 June 2022].
- Mechanic, O., Gavin, M. and Grossman, S., 2022. Acute Myocardial Infarction. [online] Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Available at: <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459269/> [Accessed 14 June 2022].
- Kumar, A.S. and Sinha, N., 2020. Cardiovascular disease in India: a 360 degree overview. Medical Journal, Armed Forces India, 76(1), p.1.
