What
is a Heart Attack?
A
blood clot is the most common cause of a blocked coronary artery. Usually,
the artery is already partially narrowed by atheromas. An antheromatous
plaque may rupture or tear and create more blockage through clot formation.
This complete blockage stops the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart.
Without oxygen, the cells of the heart begin to die. This death of heart
tissue is called a heart attack, or myocardial infarction.
What
are a causes of Heart Attack?
The
most common cause of a heart attack is atherosclerosis, a cardiovascular
disease in which fatty materials in the blood form sticky plaques in
the arteries. These plaques can get larger and larger, until they completely
block the flow of blood to the heart muscle.
Sign
and symptoms of Heart Attack
Unlike
angina, the chest pains caused by a heart attack do not diminish with
rest.
The
following symptoms are noticeable in case of heart attack :
-
Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain
in the center of the chest
lasting more than a few minutes
-
Pain
spreading to the shoulders, neck or arms. The pain may be mild to
intense. It may feel like pressure, tightness, burning, or heavy
weight. It may be located in the chest, upper abdomen, neck, jaw,
or inside the arms or shoulders.
- Chest
discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness
of breath
- Anxiety, nervousness and/or cold, sweaty skin
- Nausea, vomiting
- Dizziness, fainting
- Increased or irregular heart rate
If
you think you are having a heart attack, it is important to seek emergency
medical assistance so that doctors can prevent permanent damage to your
heart.
Cardiac
Rehabilitation
If there is adequate blood flow following a heart attack, then the
damaged heart tissue begins to heal. Dead heart tissue is replaced
with scar tissue, which does not function normally.
When
you are ready to leave the hospital, your doctor will usually perform
a series of tests, including:
- ECG stress test
- Coronary
angiogram
- Echocardiogram
Your
recovery will depend on many factors, especially your physical condition,
age, and the severity of your heart attack. A low-fat diet, a supervised
exercise program, stress reduction, and medication will all help you
prevent further heart attacks and reduce the progression of heart disease.
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