Heart Attack Symptoms
What Is a Heart Attack?
When the flow of blood to heart section gets blocked then occurs the heart attack occurs. When the blood flow is not restored immediately then because of lack of oxygen part of heart muscle gets damaged and started to die.
In U.S., death of men and women causes because of heart attack. But now days, there are best treatments available for the heart attack fortunately which prevents disabilities and saves the life. When you feel that you are with having heart attack then immediately call 9-1-1.
Heart attack also known as:
- MI or Myocardial infarction
- Acute coronary syndrome
- Coronary occlusion
- AMI or Acute myocardial infarction
- Coronary thrombosis
Causes of Heart Attack:
Many of the heart attacks occur because of CAD (coronary artery disease). CAD is built up over the time of plaque on inside wall of coronary arteries. Ultimately, plaque section can break open and blood clot form at that site. When blood clot gets large to cut off then heart attack occurs.
The blocked flow of blood stops from reaching oxygen blood to the heart muscle section provided by the artery. Heart muscles get damaged because of lack of oxygen. If the treatment is not given properly on blockage then the heart muscles which are damaged started to die.
Heart attack also can take place because of very small problem occur in the blood vessels and called as microvascular disease. It is mostly occur in women than the men.
Another cause of heart attack is tightening the coronary artery which cut off the flow of blood through an artery.
Tightening the coronary artery is because of following things:
- Taking certain drugs, such as cocaine
- Exposure to extreme cold
- Emotional stress or pain
- Cigarette smoking
Heart attack symptoms and signs:
As shown on the TV or movies, not all heart attacks initiated with unexpected and severe. The warning heart attack symptoms and signs are not same for everyone. It changes from person to person. Many of the heart attacks started with discomfort and mild pains. Some people sometimes do not have any heart attack symptom and it is known as silent heart attack.
Discomfort or the Chest Pain:
A very common heart attack symptom is discomfort and chest pain. Discomfort occurs at the center of the chest and lasts after few minutes or occurs come back again and again. The discomfort involves squeezing, uncomfortable pressure, fullness, or the pain. Pains of heart attack may be heartburn or indigestion.
Heart attack symptoms are same as that of angina symptoms. Angina pains occur in the chest and last after few minutes and goes away with the rest. The angina pains that does not go away can becomes the signs of heart attack and should be checked immediately.
Other common heart attack symptoms and signs include the following:
- Discomfort in upper body in one or two arms, neck, the back, stomach or jaw.
- Nausea, vomiting, fainting or lightheadedness, or the breaking out in cold sweat
- Breath gets shorted after or with chest discomfort.
Not every sine and symptom is same as that of other. Mot of the persons experiences different symptoms. Some of the times heart attack symptoms developed quickly or some times develop slowly, over hours, days or even weeks.
After knowing heart attack symptoms and signs, you get treatment immediately for yourself or for others.
Diagnosis of heart attack:
The diagnosis is based on symptoms of heart attack, patient's age, family history, and result after the diagnosis.
- Electrocardiogram (EKG): Electrical activities of heart can be detected and recorded by this test. Some changes occurs in electrical waves on the EKG are strong verification on the EKG of a heart attack. EKG also shows if you are having abnormal heartbeats, which causes the heart attack.
- Blood Tests: At the time of heart attack, die the muscle cells of the heart, letting certain proteins out in bloodstream. This amount of proteins in the blood stream can be measured by this blood test. If the proteins present in the bloodstream are higher than normal range then causes the heart attack. Blood tests which are used commonly are CK-MB or CK and the serum myoglobin tests. For checking the changes over the time, these blood tests are done repeatedly. Blood tests are often repeated to check for changes over time.
- Coronary Angiography: This is special x-ray test of the heart and blood vessels. This test is done at the time of heart attack to help pinpoint blockage in coronary arteries. Doctor inserts thin flexible tube also called catheter in to the arm or groin and passes through an artery. This is sub procedure of coronary angiography and called as cardiac catheterization. A dye present on the tip of x ray is injected in to bloodstream. If blockage occurs then angioplasty which is another procedure may be used for restoring flow of blood through an artery. During this procedure, doctor places small tube, stent in the artery for keeping artery open.
Treatment for the Heart Attack:
For preventing or limiting the damage of muscles of heart, early treatment is very necessary. Fast acting is very important for saving your life. Medical personnel can initiate the diagnosis and the treatment before getting to the hospital.
When supposed the heart attack, certain treatments are started even before confirming the diagnosis. These include:
- Oxygen
- Aspirin to prevent further blood clotting
- Nitroglycerin, for reducing the workload on the heart and improving the flow of blood through the coronary arteries
- Treatment for the chest pain
Once the diagnosis is confirmed, starts the treatment for restoring the blood flow to the heart. Treatment contains medical procedure and medicines such as:
Medicines:
For treating the heart attack, numbers of medicines are used. They contain the following:
Thrombolytic Medicines:
These medicines are used for dissolving the blood clots. These blood clots block the coronary arteries. These medicines are given within the one hour after detecting the heart attack symptoms.
Beta Blockers:
Workload on the heart can be minimized by these medicines. Beta blockers are used for relieving the discomfort and prevent additional heart attacks. For correcting the irregular heartbeats, beta blockers are used.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors:
These medicines reduce the strain on heart and lower the blood pressure. They also prevent weakening of muscles of heart.
Anticoagulants:
Because of these medicines, blood becomes thin and prevents formation of blood clot.
Antiplatelet Medicines:
Antiplatelet medicines such as clopidogrel and aspirin stop platelets from forming unwanted clots.
Other Medicines:
Medicines also given for reducing anxiety and pains and treating the arrhythmias, that occurs at the time of heart attack.
Medical Procedures:
If medicines are unable to stop the heart attack, medical procedures such as surgical and non-surgical may be used. Following medical procedures may be used:
Angioplasty:
This is a nonsurgical procedure which is used for opening the coronary arteries which are blocked by the blood clot. At the time of angioplasty, doctor inserts thin flexible tube also called catheter in to the arm or groin and passes through an artery. This is sub procedure of coronary angiography and called as cardiac catheterization.
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting:
Coronary artery bypass grafting is a surgery in which veins or arteries are taken from other parts of the body and sewn in the place of bypass. This gives new way for the flow of blood to the muscles of the heart.
