Heart attack: Heart attack symptoms, Tests, Treatments

Most heart attacks are discomfort. Involved discomfort in the middle of chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and come back. It feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. 

A heart attack is a frightening experience. If a person have experienced a heart attack, or you are close with someone who have, you should know this frightening experience. 




What is heart attack (Myocardial infarction)
We all know heart muscle need oxygen to survive. A heart attack occurs when the blood flow that brings oxygen to heart muscle is severely reduced or cut off completely. This happened because coronary arteries that supply the heart muscle with flood flow can become narrowed from a buildup of fat, cholesterol and other substance that together called Plaque. This slow process is known as Atherosclerosis.
If one of the plaques crack, a blood clot will form which can block the artery and cause a heart attack. 

Medical terms for heart attack may include 
  • Myocardial infarction (MI) 
  • Acute Myocardial infarction (AMI) 
  • Acute coronary Syndrome (ACS) 
  • Coronary thrombosis 
  • Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) 
Myocardial infarction (MI) A myocardial infarction commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when a portion of the heart is deprived of oxygen due to blockage of coronary artery. Coronary arteries supply the heart muscle(myocardium) with oxygenated blood. Without oxygen, muscle cells served by the blocked artery begin to die(infarct) 

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) Acute myocardial infarction is a life threatening condition that occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle is abruptly cut off, causing tissue damage. This is usually the result of blockage in one or more of coronary arteries. 

Acute coronary Syndrome (ACS) Acute coronary Syndrome is term used to describe a range of condition associated with sudden, reduced blood flow to the heart. One such condition is heart attack when cell death results in damage or destroyed heart tissue.

Coronary thrombosis coronary thrombosis is defined as the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel of the heart. This blood clot may then restrict blood flow within the heart, leading to heart tissue damage, or myocardial infarction. 

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is a rare, but life threatening condition which affects the coronary arteries, the vessel that provide oxygenated blood to the heart. SCAD occurs when there is a tear in the inner lining of coronary artery. Blood then flows through the tear, pooling between the inner and outer lining of the artery. This reduces the blood flow through the artery, sometime blocking it completely.


Some people who are having heart attack have warning signs. While others shows no signs. Some symptoms that many people reported are 
  • Chest pain 
  • Upper body pain 
  • Sweating 
  • Nausea 
  • Fatigue 
  • Trouble breathing
  • Pain that spreads to arm 
  • Feel Dizzy or Lightheaded 
  • Throat or jaw pain 
  • You get Exhausted easily 
  • Loud Snoring 
  • Legs, feet, and Ankles are swollen 
  • Irregular heartbeat 
People may experience

Pain areas: In the area between shoulder blades, arm, chest, jaw, left arm, or upper abdomen

Pain types: Can be like clenched fist in the chest 

Pain circumstances: Can occur during rest 

Whole body: Dizziness, fatigue, light headedness, clammy skin, cold, or sweating 

Gastrointestinal: Heart burn, indigestion, nausea, or vomiting 

Arm: Discomfort or tightness 

Neck: Discomfort or tightness 

Also common: Anxiety, chest pressure, feeling of impending soon, palpitations, shortness of breath or shoulder discomfort. 

Silent signs of heart attack are 
  • Chest pain, pressure, fullness or discomfort
  • Discomfort in other areas of your body 
  • Difficulty breathing and dizziness 
  • Nausea and cold sweats 
Being aware of the silent signs of heart attack is important, but it does nothing if you ignore them. While this signs don't always mean you're having a heart attack, it's better to be cautious. The chances of surviving a heart attack are higher the sooner you get emergency treatment

Remember the best way to prevent heart attacks in the first place is to get your heart screened and lower your risk in other ways like keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol at levels that are good for your heart.

Tests 
If you're are having heart attack the test are available which rule out that diagnosis. This tests are 

Angiogram (Angiography) 
An angiogram is special X-ray taken as a special dye is injected through a thin, flexible tube called a catheter to detect blockages or aneurysm in blood vessels. 

Cardiac Catheterization
Cardiac catheterization is a minimally invasive way to diagnose and treat a variety of heart and vascular condition by guiding thin, flexible tubes called catheter through blood vessels to problem areas. 

Carotid Duplex Ultrasound
Carotid Duplex Ultrasound uses Doppler and traditional ultrasound to assess blood flow in the arteries that supply blood to your brain. 

Chest X-ray
Chest X-ray use a small dose of radiation to create pictures of the structures inside the chest, including the lungs, heart and chest wall. 

Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan 
The cardiac computed tomography scan, or cardiac CT, uses X-rays to create three dimensional images of heart and blood vessels 

Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram uses high frequency sound waves to create image of heart. 

Electrocardiogram (ECG)
An electrocardiogram, also known as ECG, measures heart's electrical activity 

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) 
Magnetic Resonance Imaging, also known as cardiac MRI, is combination of radio waves, magnets and computer technology to create images of your heart and blood vessels 

Pulse Volume Recording 
Pulse Volume Recording tests are used to evaluate blood flow through the arteries in your arms or legs 

Stress Tests

Stress tests are used to assess how your heart works during physical activity. There are several type of stress tests, including treadmill or bike stress tests, nuclear stress tests, stress echocardiogram and chemically induced stress tests. 

Treatments

Angioplasty 
Angioplasty improve blood flow through the arteries by clearing plaque buildup 

Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
Coronary artery bypass surgery, also known as coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), restores normal blood flow through narrowed or blocked coronary arteries by using a healthy blood vessel taken from your leg, arm or chest to create a detour around the problem area 

Off- Pump Bypass Surgery (Beating-Heart Bypass) 
Off- Pump Bypass surgery also known as beating heart bypass surgery, is an option for many patients to have coronary artery bypass surgery without needing to stop the heart or lungs during the procedure.

Thrombolysis
Thrombolysis, also known as thrombolytic therapy, is a treatment to dissolve or break up dangerous blood clots that can cause heart attacks, strokes and other conditions.

Transradial Catheterization
Transradial Catheterization is a form of cardiac catheterization in which doctor use the radial artery, located in the wrist, to treat many heart and vascular conditions 

What Should I do if having a heart attack 
It's important you get medical attention immediately. 
You should 
  • Call to hospital for an ambulance
  • Sit down and stay calm 
  • Take a 300mg aspirin tablet 
  • Wait for paramedics 
How can reduce the risk of heart attack 
  • Eat healthily 
  • Be physically active 
  • Keep healthy weight and lose weight if necessary 
  • Don't smoke 
  • Cut down on alcohol 
  • Control high blood pressure
  • Control cholesterol levels 
  • Control blood sugar levels 




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