Heart attack is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, which could have been avoided if people were able to recognize a heart attack in time and seek medical help. Everyone should know the main signs of a heart attack, in the event of which it is necessary to urgently call an ambulance in order to save the life of oneself or a loved one.
What is a heart attack, what you need to know about it
To pump blood, the heart needs oxygen and nutrients all the time. The two large coronary arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. If one of these arteries or their branches suddenly becomes blocked, there is a lack of oxygen in a certain part of the heart. This phenomenon is called cardiac ischemia.
In the event of prolonged cardiac ischemia, tissue that does not receive oxygen dies, which is actually called a heart attack, myocardial infarction, or, literally, the death of the heart muscle.
Most heart attacks last for several hours, so don't delay seeking help if you suspect a heart attack. In some cases, the symptoms of a heart attack may not appear at all, but with most heart attacks, a person feels pain in the chest. Other signs of a heart attack include:
- breathing difficulties;
- dizziness;
- fainting;
- nausea.
The pain that occurs during a heart attack can be compared to a feeling of squeezing the heart. The pain may be constant or intermittent. It is also worth noting that the signs of a heart attack in women and men may be different.
The main signs of a heart attack in women and men
1. Discomfort in the chest – most heart attacks are accompanied by a feeling of discomfort in the central part of the chest that does not go away within a few minutes (pressure, squeezing or pain).
2. Discomfort in other parts of the upper body – pain or discomfort in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
3. Difficulty breathing (accompanied by a feeling of discomfort or not).
4. Cold sweat, nausea or dizziness.
The main symptom of a heart attack in both men and women is chest pain or discomfort. However, women are more likely than men to have other signs of a heart attack: difficulty breathing, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.
What is the difference between angina and myocardial infarction?
Most of the victims of a heart attack do not notice the warning signals of impending danger, which manifest themselves in the form of angina pectoris – chest pain, which is also caused by ischemia. The difference between angina pectoris and a heart attack is this: in the case of angina pectoris, blood flow is quickly restored, the pain disappears within a few minutes, and there is no permanent damage to the heart. In a heart attack, blood flow is significantly reduced or completely blocked, pain is permanent, and without proper medical intervention, the heart muscle dies.
About 25% of all heart attacks occur suddenly, i.e. without previous symptoms. Sometimes they are associated with a phenomenon called "silent" ischemia – random interruptions in blood flow to the heart, which for unknown reasons are not accompanied by pain, although they can lead to damage to the tissue of the heart. Silent ischemia is often seen in diabetic patients.
Life-threatening hazards and complications of myocardial infarction
Death before arrival at the hospital occurs in 25% of people with a heart attack; the remaining 75% are at risk of complications after a heart attack, which are:
- stroke;
- arrhythmia;
- heart failure;
- blood clots in the legs or heart;
- aneurysm.
It is worth noting that people who survive a heart attack without complications within a few hours after a heart attack have a greater chance of a full recovery.
Recovery after a heart attack – this is always a difficult process, since any heart attack weakens the heart to a greater or lesser extent. Depending on the severity of the heart attack, further scarring of the heart, and the speed of medical attention, a heart attack can result in:
- heart failure, in which the heart cannot pump blood properly;
- arrhythmias or abnormal heart rhythms;
- cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death (heart stops beating);
- cardiogenic shock (in which the heart is so damaged that the person is in shock);
- death.
Prevention of myocardial infarction in men and women
The main risk factor for myocardial infarction is coronary heart disease. You can reduce your risk of heart disease and heart attack in the following ways:
1. Quit smoking.
2. Watch your blood pressure. Remember that people with high blood pressure (hypertension) have an increased risk of heart attack and heart disease.
3. Control your blood sugar levels. Diabetes is associated with a risk of developing heart disease.
4. Monitor your blood cholesterol levels. If you don't know what your cholesterol level is, now is the time to get tested.
5. Watch your weight. As you know, people with obesity are more at risk of dying from heart disease than people with normal weight.
6. Be active. It has been established that regular physical activity – a great way to prevent heart attacks and other heart diseases.
7. Eat right. More fruits, vegetables and omega-3 acids. Remember that to select the right diet, you need to contact a specialist, because your body is unique.
8. Don't give in to stress. Learn to manage stress with yoga or meditation, for example.
9. Communicate. The social support you receive from family and friends – a great way to prevent a heart attack and many diseases.
10. Learn to manage anger. Do not suppress anger, but direct it in the right direction, give the right outlet to emotions.
Be vigilant, do not ignore the dangerous signs of a heart attack! Remember that timely assistance – the only way to survive a heart attack!
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