A myocardial infarction (also known as a heart attack) is a potentially fatal ailment caused by a shortage of blood flow to your heart muscle. A lack of blood flow can be caused by a variety of circumstances, but it is most commonly caused by a blockage in one or more of your heart's arteries. The afflicted cardiac muscle will begin to die if there is no blood supply. If blood flow is not rapidly restored, a heart attack can result in permanent cardiac damage and death.
A heart attack is a potentially fatal emergency. If you suspect you or someone you're with is experiencing a heart attack, dial 911 immediately (or your local emergency services phone number). A delay of even a few minutes in treating a heart attack might result in severe cardiac damage or death.
What happens in the event of a heart attack?
When you have a heart attack, blood supply to a section of your heart ceases or drops significantly, causing that area of your heart muscle to die. When a section of your heart can't pump because it's dying from a lack of blood flow, the pumping sequence for the entire heart is disrupted. This lowers or even prevents blood flow to the rest of your body, which can be fatal if not treated promptly.
CAUSES OF HEART ATTACK
The great majority of heart attacks are caused by a blockage in one of your heart's blood arteries. This is most commonly caused by plaque, a sticky substance that can accumulate on the insides of your arteries (similar to how pouring grease down your kitchen sink can clog your home plumbing). This accumulation is known as atherosclerosis.
Plaque deposits inside the coronary (heart) arteries can sometimes split open or rupture, causing a blood clot to become lodged where the rupture occurred. If the clot stops the artery, the heart muscle will be deprived of blood, resulting in a heart attack.
Heart attacks without a blockage are possible, although they are uncommon, accounting for just approximately 5% of all heart attacks. This type of heart attack can occur for a variety of reasons, including:
- Artery spasm: Your blood arteries include a muscle lining that permits them to dilate or constrict as needed. These muscles might twitch or spasm at times, shutting off blood flow to the heart muscle.
- Medical conditions that are uncommon: Any disease that causes exceptional constriction of blood arteries is an example of a rare medical condition.
- Trauma: This includes coronary artery rips or ruptures.
- Obstruction caused by anything else in the body: a blood clot or an air bubble (embolism) that becomes lodged in a coronary artery.
- Electrolyte imbalances: Having too much or too little of certain elements in your blood, such as potassium, can lead to a heart attack.
- Eating disorders: Over time, an eating problem can harm your heart, leading to a heart attack.
SYMPTOMS OF HEART ATTACK
A heart attack can manifest with a variety of symptoms, some of which are more prevalent than others. The symptoms you experience are also influenced by your gender, as men and women are more prone to experience different heart attack symptoms.
Symptoms most commonly stated by patients experiencing a heart attack:
- Chest ache (angina). This symptom might be minor, causing discomfort or weight, or severe, causing crushing pain. It may begin in your chest and spread (or radiate) to other parts of your body, such as your left arm (or both arms), shoulder, neck, jaw, back, or down toward your waist.
- Breathing difficulties or shortness of breath
- Nausea or stomach pains. Heart attacks are sometimes misdiagnosed as indigestion.
- Palpitations in the heart
- Anxiety or a sense of "impending doom."
- Sweating.
- Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or passing out
Women's symptoms of a heart attack
Medical study in recent years has revealed that while women may have the above symptoms, they are also more likely to experience symptoms other than those listed above.
Women are less likely than men to state the following:
- Pain in the chest, particularly in the center.
- Discomfort that is similar to indigestion.
Women are more likely than men to state the following:
- Shortness of breath, tiredness, and insomnia that began prior to the heart attack.
- Back, shoulder, neck, arm, or abdomen pain
- Vomiting and nausea
Who is most vulnerable to a heart attack?
Several important factors influence your chance of having a heart attack. Unfortunately, some of these risk factors are beyond your control.
Age and gender
Heart disease runs in the family.
Preeclampsia (a disorder that can occur during pregnancy).
Lifestyle.
If you have specific medical illnesses or disorders.
Age and gender
Your chance of having a heart attack grows with age, and your gender determines when your risk of having a heart attack begins to rise:
- Men: The chance of having a heart attack grows dramatically after the age of 45.
- Women: The chance of having a heart attack increases dramatically after the age of 50 or after menopause.
Family history
If you have a parent or sibling who has had a heart attack or had a heart attack at a young age, your risk is increased. This risk rises as a result of the following:
- Your father or a brother who was diagnosed with heart disease when he was 55 years old or younger.
- Your mother or sister who was diagnosed with heart disease when she was 65 years old or younger.
Lifestyle
Your lifestyle choices can also impact your risk of having a heart attack. The following lifestyle variables enhance your risk of having a heart attack:
- A lack of physical exercise.
- A diet heavy in sodium, sugar, and fat.
- Using tobacco or smoking (including smokeless or chewing tobacco and vaping).
- Overindulging in alcoholic beverages.
- Addiction to drugs (especially in younger individuals).
Other diseases and health conditions
The following medical disorders can raise your risk of having a heart attack:
- Diabetes.
- Obesity.
- High blood pressure (hypertension).
- High cholesterol (hyperlipidemia).
- Eating disorders (especially in younger individuals).
HEART ATTACK DIAGNOSIS
A heart attack is usually diagnosed following a physical exam and a review of your medical history by a doctor. Your doctor will most likely do an electrocardiogram (ECG) to assess the electrical activity of your heart.
An echocardiogram, which employs sound waves to create an image of the heart's chambers and valves, can indicate how blood flows through the heart and which parts, if any, of the heart have been damaged.
A cardiac catheterization may also be ordered by your doctor. This is a probe that is introduced into the blood vessels using a flexible tube known as a catheter. It enables your doctor to see parts of your heart where plaque may have accumulated. They can also inject dye into your arteries, take an X-ray to check how your blood flows, and look for any obstructions.
Your healthcare team will most likely take a blood sample or do additional tests to discover whether there is any sign of heart muscle damage.
A standard blood test looks for troponin T, a protein present in the heart muscle. Troponin T levels in the bloodstream are related with a heart attack.
HEART ATTACK TREATMENT
If you've had a heart attack, your doctor may advise you to undergo a procedure (surgery or nonsurgical). These procedures can alleviate pain and help avoid another heart attack.
Typical procedures include:
Stent: A stent is a wire mesh tube that surgeons implant into the artery after angioplasty to keep it open.
- Angioplasty: An angioplasty is a procedure that uses a balloon to unblock a blocked artery or removes plaque accumulation. It is vital to remember that angioplasty is rarely used alone by healthcare experts these days.
- Heart bypass surgery: Your doctor will reroute the blood around the blockage during bypass surgery.
- Heart valve surgery: Surgeons repair or replace leaky valves in valve repair or replacement surgery to assist the heart pump.
- Pacemaker: A pacemaker is a medical device that is inserted beneath the skin. It can assist your heart in maintaining a normal rhythm.
- Heart transplant: In circumstances where a heart attack causes permanent tissue death in the majority of the heart, surgeons may consider a heart transplant.
Your doctor may also prescribe the following drugs to treat your heart attack:
- aspirin
- other drugs to break up clots
- antiplatelet and anticoagulants, also known as blood thinners
- pain relievers
- nitroglycerin
- blood pressure medication
- beta-blockers
When it comes to a heart attack, timing is everything. The sooner you receive treatment after a heart attack, the faster blood flow can be restored to the afflicted area of your heart, and the more likely the outcome will be favorable.
Alternative treatments and lifestyle modifications can help you improve your heart health and lower your risk of having a heart attack. Maintaining a healthy heart requires a nutrient-rich, balanced diet as well as a health-promoting lifestyle.
How to Assist Someone Suffering From a Heart Attack
If you are with someone who is experiencing heart attack symptoms, call 911 immediately and follow the directions they provide you on what to do.
If the person is not responsive and has no pulse, performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or utilizing an automated external defibrillator (AED) can save their life.
Most companies and public areas have AEDs, but if none are available, CPR should not be delayed. CPR can help to circulate oxygenated blood throughout a person's body until emergency personnel arrive.
The sooner a person receives emergency medical assistance, the less probable it is that their heart muscle would experience damage.
What should you do if you experience a heart attack?
If you fear you're suffering a heart attack, the AHA recommends dialing 911 immediately (if you live in the United States) rather than driving yourself to the hospital. If you live outside the United States, use the number connected with your emergency medical services.
When paramedics arrive, they can begin treating you and monitoring you on their trip to the emergency department.
Even if you're not sure if you're suffering a heart attack, it's best to remain cautious. Unless you are allergic, chew one adult aspirin when your symptoms begin. Aspirin's anti-platelet properties may aid in breaking up a clot that is obstructing blood flow to your heart.
If feasible, ask a family member, friend, or neighbor to accompany you while you wait for the ambulance or are being treated at the hospital.
Complications of a heart attack
Heart attacks can lead to a variety of consequences. When you have a heart attack, it can interrupt your heart's natural rhythm, potentially stopping it completely. These irregular rhythms are referred to as arrhythmias.
Some heart tissue may die if your heart does not receive a blood supply during a heart attack. This might cause your heart to weaken and lead to significant consequences such as heart failure.
Heart attacks can also damage your heart valves, causing leaks.
The length of time it takes to receive medical care and the extent to which your heart has been injured by the heart attack will influence the long-term repercussions on your heart.
RECOVERY
A heart attack can harm and impair the function of your heart muscles. This can include altering your heart's rhythm and diminishing its capacity to adequately pump blood to all of your body's organs and tissues.
Following a heart attack, it is critical to collaborate with your healthcare team to develop a rehabilitation plan. The following lifestyle adjustments may be included in this plan:
- taking part in light or moderate exercise, as prescribed by your doctor
- If you're carrying extra weight, eating a nutrient-dense, balanced diet low in saturated and trans fats will help you lose weight.
- If you smoke, you should stop.
- If you have diabetes, you should keep a constant eye on your blood sugar levels.
- taking steps to maintain a good blood pressure and cholesterol level
- avoiding intense activity, especially in the immediate aftermath of a heart attack
- going through cardiac rehabilitation
PREVENTING HEART ATTACK
While many risk factors are beyond your control, there are some simple activities you can take to help keep your heart healthy. Following are a few examples:
- Consume a well-balanced diet: Try to include nutrient-dense foods in your diet as frequently as feasible. Lean meats, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy, nuts and seeds are all good choices. Limit greasy, fried foods and foods high in simple sugars, such as sodas, baked goods, and white bread.
- Regular exercise is essential: For optimal heart health, aim for at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week.
- Stop smoking: If you smoke, talk to your doctor about beginning a smoking cessation program. Because smoking is a major cause of heart disease, quitting can help lower your risk.
- Limit your alcohol consumption: When it comes to alcohol and heart health, moderation is crucial. One drink per day for women and two drinks per day for males is considered light to moderate alcohol use.
- Check your cholesterol levels: If your LDL cholesterol or triglycerides are higher than normal, consult your doctor about what you need do to lower your cholesterol and triglycerides.
- Diabetes should be managed: If you have diabetes, take your medications as directed by your doctor and monitor your blood glucose levels on a regular basis.
- Consult with your doctor: If you have a cardiac condition, communicate with your doctor and stick to your treatment plan, which includes taking your medications.
All of these steps are critical in lowering your chance of developing heart disease and having a heart attack. If you are concerned about your chance of having a heart attack, consult your doctor.
CONCLUSION
According to the CDC, an estimated 805,000 people in the United States have a heart attack each year, with the vast majority of these being first-time heart attacks. While most individuals who suffer a heart attack survive, it's vital to know how to lower your risk and what to do if you encounter heart attack symptoms.
While chest discomfort is the most prevalent symptom of a heart attack, it is only one of several. If you suspect you are experiencing a heart attack, get emergency medical attention right once. The sooner you seek care for a heart attack, the higher your chances of recovery.
There are various tests that can be used to determine whether you've had a heart attack. If the tests reveal that you've suffered a heart attack, there are effective treatments available to help restore blood flow to your heart and reduce consequences.
If you have any of the risk factors for a heart attack, talk to your doctor about steps you can take to reduce your risk.