Heart Attack

Heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, generally occurs when the supply of blood and oxygen to an area of heart muscle is blocked, usually by a blood clot. This may cause the heart to stop beating and from pumping blood effectively and leads to death or permanent damage to the heart. A heart attack, or myocardial infarction is permanent damage to the heart muscle. The conditions leading to heart attack often develop over many years.

         

Like all organs, the heart and heart muscles require a constant supply of oxygen-rich blood to nourish it. It gets that blood from arteries that lead into the

heart. In some cases, those arteries become narrow and blood cannot flow as well as it should; fatty matter, calcium, proteins and inflammatory cells build up within the arteries and form ‘plaques’ of different sizes. Over time the plaques become larger and larger. Eventually, the plaque greatly reduces the amount of blood reaching the heart. It can also close off the artery entirely. When that happens, the blood supply to the heart is completely cut off and the heart muscles become ‘starved’ for oxygen. Within a short time, death of heart muscle cells occurs, causing permanent damage. This is called myocardial infarction, or heart attack.

Causes and Risk Factors

           It is difficult to estimate exactly how common heart attacks are because many people die each year before medical help in sought. Heart attacks are usually caused by severe coronary artery diseases. A number of risk factors increase the chance of developing coronary artery disease and heart attack. Some major risk factors can be changed and other cannot. Among those:

i)  That cannot be changed are:

.       Heredity.

.       Gender: Men under the age of sixty are more likely to have heart attacks than

        women of the same age.

.       Age: Men over the age of 45 and women over the age of 55 are at higher risk

        than younger people. People over age of 65 are more likely to die of heart

        attack.

ii)  Some risk factors that can be changed are:

.        Smoking.

.        High levels of cholesterol in the blood.

.        High blood presuure.

.        Unhealthy lifestyle and lack of physical exercise.

iii)  Other conditions: Other conditions may affect the risk of coronary artery disease and heart attack. Scientists are not certain how these factors are involved in these conditions. The factors are:

.        Diabetes

.        Obesity

.        Stress and anger

.        Elevated homycysteine fibrinogen level

.         Sudden excitement/depression.

Signs and Symptoms: Most of the heart patients experience symptoms before the attack actually begins. Some people have no symptoms. This is called a ‘silent’ attack. Typical symptoms include:

a) Pain in the centre of the chest. It can feel like:

.      Uncomfortable pressure

.      Fullness/a tight band on the chest

.      squeezing

.      Indigestion or heart burn.

b) Pain radiates from chest to arms or shoulder; neck, teeth or jaw; abdomen or back.

c) Chest discomforts accompanied by:

.       Light – headedness/ dizziness

.       Fainting

.       Sweating, which may be profuse

.       Nausea or vomiting

.       Shortness of breath

.       Cough

.       Feeling of “impending doom”

d) Anxiety/Extreme weakness

e) Rapid or irregular heart beats

f) Crackles in the lungs, a heart murmur or other abnormal sound in the chest while listening with stethoscope.

Prevention and Control

         Some risk factors for heart attack cannot be controlled. There may be hereditary factors that make a person more or less likely to have coronary artery disease and a heart attack. However, many risk factors can be managed by leading a healthy lifestyle. Some ways a person can reduce the risk of coronary artery disease and heart attack are:

       .       Eat healthy diet that includes a variety of food, low in fat, low in cholesterol,  

               And high in fibre. The diet should be include plenty of fruits and vegetables,

               and limited sodium.

      .        Heavy meals should be avoided.

      .        Get regular moderate exercise. Bed rest up to 8-10 hours a day is considered

               desirable.

      .        Maintain a proper body weight by watching one’s diet and exercise.

      .        Strenuous physical exercise after 40 years of age should be avoided.

      .        Don’t start smoking. If you smoke, quit smoking.

      .        Control to consume alcohol.

      .        Adopt a more moderate lifestyle and healthy recreation that reduces stress

               and anxiety.

     .         Maintenance of healthy relationship among with the family members.

     .         Control blood pressure and diabetes.

     .         Regular health check-ups.

     .         Heart-attack patients must follow the doctor’s advice to prevent a second

               heart attack

.

.          Make sure to have an emergency action to plan in case of having the sign of a second heart attack.

.         In case of having or have had heart attack call the local emergency medical service immediately and get to the hospital emergency room as soon as possible.