HEART ATTACK

Heart attack occur when there is a loss of blood supply to part of the heart muscle. It often results from a blockage in a nearby artery. An individual who is experiencing a heart attack — or myocardial infarction — will feel pain in their chest and other parts of their body, as well as other symptoms.

Spotting the early signs of a heart attack and getting prompt treatment is crucial and can save a person’s life. It is important to note that heart attack is different from cardiac arrest. In cardiac arrest, the heart stops working completely. Both are medical emergencies, and without treatment, a heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest.

The most common cause of a heart attack is a blockage in one of the arteries near the heart. This can result from coronary heart disease, in which plaque — made up of cholesterol and other substances — collects in the arteries, narrowing them. Over time, this can obstruct the flow of blood.

Less common causes include:

• The misuse of drugs, such as cocaine, which causes the blood vessels to narrow
• Low oxygen levels in the blood, due, for example, to carbon monoxide poisoning

The following can increase the risk of a heart attack:

1. Older age

2. Male sex

3. High cholesterol levels

4. High blood pressure

5. Other health conditions, such as obesity or diabetes

6. Having a diet high in processed foods and added fats, sugars, and salt

7. Low activity levels

8. Genetic factors and family history

9. Smoking

10. High alcohol intake

11. high levels of stress

Often, a heart attack results from a combination of factors.

Symptoms of heart attack include:

• a feeling of pressure, tightness, pain, squeezing, or aching in the chest
• pain that spreads to the arms, neck, jaw, or back
• a feeling of crushing or heaviness in the chest
• a feeling similar to heartburn or indigestion
• nausea and sometimes vomiting
• feeling clammy and sweaty
• shortness of breath
• feeling lightheaded or dizzy
• in some cases, anxiety that can feel similar to a panic attack
• coughing or wheezing, if fluid builds up in the lungs

The symptoms can vary in their order and duration — they may last several days or come and go suddenly.

The following may also develop:

1. Hypoxemia: This involves low levels of oxygen in the blood.

2. Pulmonary edema: This involves fluid accumulating in and around the lungs.

3. Cardiogenic shock: This involves blood pressure dropping suddenly because the heart cannot supply enough blood for the rest of the body to work adequately.

There are various ways to lower the risk of a heart attack. It is important for everyone to make heart health a priority. Ways to do this include:

• Avoiding or quitting smoking
• Having a balanced, healthful diet
• Getting regular exercise
• Managing diabetes, high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and other conditions
• Limiting alcohol intake
• Maintaining a healthy body weight
• Whenever possible, avoiding stress or practicing ways to reduce it

Knowing the symptoms of a heart attack can help a person get prompt treatment, and this increases the chances of a positive outcome.

Nowadays, many people survive heart attacks, due to effective treatment. Delaying treatment, however, dramatically reduce the chances of survival.

When someone around is having heart attack, call for help immediately. Dial emergency line.

• Be ready to explain what has happened and where you are.
• Stay calm and follow all instructions from the emergency team.

While waiting for the team to arrive, talk to the person, and reassure them that help is on the way.

If the person stops breathing, do manual chest compressions by locking your fingers together and placing the base of your hands in the center of the chest. Position your shoulders over your hands, lock your elbows, and press hard and fast, at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute. Press to a depth of 2 inches.

Continue these movements until the person starts to breathe or move, until someone else can take over, or until you are exhausted. If possible, take turns without pausing the compressions.

You can use an automatic external defibrillator (AED) if available. An AED provides a shock that may restart the heart.

When the emergency team arrives, they will take over the person’s care. Give the team as much detail as possible about the person’s health and what was happening before the event. The team will try to stabilize the person’s condition, including providing oxygen.

Thank you for reading.