A myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, is a serious medical emergency. It is an extremely common and rising cause of hospitalization across the globe. anyone suspecting a heart attack should immediately visit the nearest hospital in order to receive medical assistance. A heart attack is a life-threatening condition, and time is of essence in its treatment.
A heart attack is caused by an obstruction to the arteries, usually by a blood clot, causing it to get blocked and stop working. The longer it takes for the artery to open up and get working again, the less the chances of the patient returning to a normal life. As blood flow stops, the heart muscles begin to die. Irreversible damage will lead to a cardiac arrest, causing death.
It is important to keep in mind that a heart attack can mimic the symptoms of other, far less severe conditions. It is therefore imperative to take these symptoms seriously, especially if there is history of heart disease. It should be noted, however, that heart attacks can happen without any pre-existing heart conditions.
Chest pain: The commonest symptom of a heart attack is chest pain. Someone experiencing a heart attack may feel a tightness across the chest. The pan might feel severe or very mild depending on the severity of the attack.
Shortness of breath: Patients might experience difficulty breathing or attempt to take in a lot of air by opening their mouth. This might be accompanied by sudden weakness and fatigue.
Radiating pain: The chest pain may appear to radiate to the arms and legs. This is most commonly seen spreading to the left arm, but might also involve the right. Pain in the back, jaw, and neck is also possible.
Dizziness: Patients might also feel lightheaded, accompanied by bouts of vomiting.
Sweating: Sudden, excessive sweating is a symptom of a heart attack.
Coronary Heart Disease is the leading cause of heart attacks. The coronary arteries get clogged with cholesterol deposits. Eventually, a plaque bursts, causing a blood clot that triggers a heart attack. CHD is caused by smoking, high cholesterol, obesity, a high-fat diet, lack of exercise, diabetes, and hypertension.
Hypoxia occurs when the heart receives unoxygenated blood due to an impairment in lung function or carbon monoxide poisoning. Lack of oxygen will damage the heart muscles, leading to a heart attack.
Drug misuse can also narrow down the coronary arteries, resulting in decreased blood flow and eventual heart attacks.
As stated before, time is of the essence when treating heart attacks. The sooner the patient receives emergency medical attention, the better the prognosis. Of course, this also depends on the severity and type of attack.
Medical assistance for a heart attack will vary widely.
A range of medicines can be administered to the patient, mainly aimed at reducing pressure on the heart. A combination of blood thinners, beta blockers, and pain relievers along with medicines to bring down the cholesterol and blood pressure will be administered to keep the heart muscles from working overtime.
Patients might also be suggested surgical procedures to help contain and/or reverse the damage.
Angioplasty and stenting involve inserting a stent into the blocked artery to remove the clot and allow blood to flow. Usually, the stent is coated with medicine to prevent further clots from forming.
Coronary bypass surgery involves guiding the blood flow to bypass the blocked parts of the artery. This might be an emergency surgery, or the patient might be given a few days to stabilize before undergoing the procedure.
The importance of swift medical intervention cannot be stressed enough in case of a heart attack. It is essential, therefore, to be educated on the symptoms of a heart attack to be able to seek out assistance at the earliest. Most importantly, a healthy lifestyle is paramount in keeping potentially debilitating heart diseases at bay.
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