Risk Factors of Heart Attack

Heart is an organ which pumps blood 24×7 and keeps our circulation going. What happens when this pump does not function? Read more……

Introduction:

Our heart is a muscular pump which needs oxygen to function like any other organ in the body. It is supplied by blood vessels called “coronary arteries and veins”.

When one or more coronary arteries get blocked, the blood supply to that portion of heart muscle is cut off and the resultant symptoms due to this is termed “heart attack”.

Causes:

• Plaque (cholesterol)
• Clot which is usually formed upon rupture of the plaque
• Clots from the heart or veins in the lower extremities
• Emotional disturbance, which can result in spasm of the arteries

Risk factors include:

• Older individuals(Males >Females)
• Menopausal women
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes Type 2
• Smoking
• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Persons with pre-existing heart disease
• Family history /heredity

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms are:

• Sudden, but not instantaneous, central chest discomfort or pain (usually felt as gas or pressure).
• The pain typically

1. May last for a few minutes and go away and recur. It builds up rapidly or in waves to maximum intensity.
2. can radiate to arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach.
3. is not relieved by rest unlike angina.

• Shortness of breath can occur before or after the chest discomfort.
• Nausea, vomiting, light-headedness, wheezing.
• The persons appear apprehensive, anxious and sweating.
• There may be no symptoms at all (silent heart attack).

Note: Symptoms can present singly or in any combination.

Management:

Quick recognition and prompt treatment is the key to efficient management of a heart attack.

An ambulance should be called for immediately and patient shifted preferably to a hospital with cardiac care services. Ambulance provides immediate care to the person till the hospital is reached.

Investigations:

• ECG (electrocardiography) is done to know the extent of damage.
• Blood is drawn from the patient to check for heart specific markers, which are usually raised in an acute situation.

Once the diagnosis is confirmed, measures are taken to restore the blood supply to the heart. It may include:

• Medications to dissolve the clot /relieve spasm
• Investigative and interventional procedures like coronary angiography (viewing of the coronary arteries by injecting a dye into a vein in the groin), angioplasty (widening of the coronary arteries) and placing of stent (a device which will keep the artery open) are performed. All the procedures are usually performed at the same sitting.
• Blocks which are not amenable to the above are treated surgically. The procedure is called “Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery” (CABG)

General measures include:

• Continuous monitoring of the person for 24-48 hours.
• Maintaining oxygen flow
• Administration of medications to relieve pain, prevent re-clotting and decrease load on the heart.

Depending on the presence or absence of complications, patient is shifted from ICU to the ward and thereafter discharged home.

The treatment does not stop at the hospital but continues upon discharge at home also.

Home based care:

• Immediately call for an ambulance
• Make the patient rest

Complications:

• Arrhythmia: absence of coordinated activity of the heart muscle
• Asystole: Heart comes to a standstill
• Congestive heart failure: If a large area of the heart muscle is affected, it is replaced by scar tissue, which lacks the ability to pump blood

Preventive Measures:

To prevent a repeat attack:

• Effective control of blood pressure and high cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
• Taking regular medications to prevent blood clotting
• Cessation of smoking
• Exercise as tolerated and advised
• Dietary alterations and lifestyle changes
• Regular follow up with cardiologist

Information for travelers:

All cardiac patients should carry their regular medications, prescription and contact details of their treating physician on their travel. A check-up prior to travel with their cardiologist is advised.

"Chest discomfort!. Does it occur in the chest or in the arms, back, or jaw? If you have symptoms, take notice. These are your heart disease warning signs." Quick recognition and prompt treatment is the key to efficient management of a heart attack. Ask a Doctor online queries related to Heart attack on the platform of pinkWhale healthcare which provides online healthcare service for individuals who would like to consult specialists and doctors remotely for their health ailments. Also pinkWhale healthcare members can request for Doctor Second Opinion from a panel of experienced Specialists who are associated with leading hospitals.