Heart Attack | What Happens and How to Manage It

A heart attack happens when there’s a reduction in blood flow to a portion of the heart muscle, often caused by a blockage in a nearby artery. Indications may include chest pain that might radiate, constituting a medical emergency requiring hospital care.

Someone undergoing a heart attack, also known as myocardial infarction, may experience chest discomfort along with symptoms like queasiness, perspiration, and difficulty breathing. Recognizing the initial signs of a heart attack and seeking immediate medical attention is crucial and can be life-saving.

While a heart attack and cardiac arrest are distinct conditions—the former involving reduced blood flow and the latter a complete cessation of heart function—both warrant urgent medical intervention. Left untreated, a heart attack can progress to cardiac arrest.

Symptoms of Heart Attack

How do I know it is heart attack? Below are the symptoms

1. Chest discomfort, pressure, or constriction
2. Difficulty breathing
3. Coughing or wheezing
4. Feeling faint or dizzy
5. Pain that might extend to arms, neck, jaw, or back
6. Anxiety resembling a panic attack
7. Queasiness and throwing up
8. Sweaty or damp skin
9. Acid reflux or stomach upset

What do I do in the Case of Heart Attack?

If someone exhibits these symptoms above:

1. Call 911 or the nearest emergency department immediately.
2. Stay with them until emergency services arrive.
3. If the person stops breathing before help arrives, perform manual chest compressions as follows:

• Interlock fingers and position the base of your hands in the center of the chest.
• Align shoulders directly over hands and lock elbows.
• Apply firm and rapid compressions, aiming for a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute, reaching a depth of 2 inches.
• Continue these compressions until signs of breathing or movement return.
• If necessary, switch with another person without interrupting compressions.

4. Utilize an automated external defibrillator (AED) if one is accessible in nearby public areas:

• An AED administers a shock that may restore heart function.
• Follow the instructions provided on the defibrillator or listen to the guided prompts.

Causes of Heart Attack

The primary cause of a heart attack typically involves a complete or partial blockage in one of the arteries near the heart. This blockage often stems from coronary heart disease, where plaque, composed of cholesterol and other substances, builds up in the arteries, causing narrowing and impeding blood flow over time. Heart attacks may present differently in females and males.

Less common causes are:

1. Coronary artery spasms
2. Blood clots
3. Spontaneous coronary artery dissection
4. Substance misuse, such as cocaine, which constricts blood vessels

Risk Factors

Several factors can elevate the likelihood of experiencing a heart attack:

1. Elevated levels of cholesterol
2. High blood pressure
3. Advanced age
4. Male gender
5. Genetic predisposition and family history
6. Smoking
7. Presence of other health conditions like obesity or diabetes
8. Sedentary lifestyle
9. Excessive alcohol consumption
10. High stress levels
11. Consumption of a diet rich in:

• Processed foods
• Added fats, sugars, and salt

Complications Associated with Heart Attack

The following conditions may also manifest:

1. Cardiogenic shock: Occurs when blood pressure drops suddenly due to the heart’s inability to adequately supply blood to the body.
2. Depression: Following a heart attack, individuals may experience feelings of depression, but seeking support from loved ones and participating in support groups can be beneficial.
3. Arrhythmia: The heart exhibits irregular beating patterns, either excessively fast or slow.
4. Edema: Accumulation of fluid results in swelling, typically observed in the ankles and legs.
5. Aneurysm: Formation of scar tissue on the injured heart wall leads to thinning and stretching of the heart muscle, eventually resulting in the development of a sac. This condition can also predispose individuals to blood clots.
6. Hypoxemia: Characterized by reduced levels of oxygen in the bloodstream.
7. Pulmonary edema: Involves the accumulation of fluid in and around the lungs.
8. Heart failure: Inability of the heart to pump efficiently results in fatigue, breathing difficulties, and edema.
9. Myocardial rupture: Occurrence of a tear in a segment of the heart due to damage from a heart attack.
10. Angina: Inadequate oxygen supply to the heart triggers chest discomfort.

Continuous treatment and monitoring are crucial for mitigating the risk of these complications.

Preventing a Heart Attack

There are numerous strategies to reduce the risk of experiencing a heart attack, even after having one previously. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends prioritizing heart health.

Key approaches to achieve this include:

1. Avoiding or ceasing smoking
2. Effectively managing conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and other relevant health issues
3. Moderating alcohol consumption
4. Maintaining or attaining a healthy body weight
5. Adhering to a balanced and nutritious diet
6. Engaging in regular physical activity
7. Implementing stress-reducing techniques such as:

• Breathing exercises
• Practicing yoga
• Embracing mindfulness

Management

A heart attack poses a severe threat to life and necessitates immediate medical attention. Timely intervention greatly enhances the likelihood of survival. In the event of experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, the affected individual or someone nearby should promptly dial 911.

Be prepared to explain symptoms and provide details about the person’s whereabouts.
Maintain composure and adhere to all instructions provided by the emergency responders.
If someone calls 911 on behalf of another person, they can engage in conversation and offer reassurance that help is en route.
Carry out the process explained above in “What do I do in the case of Heart Attack?”

Medical Intervention

Upon the arrival of emergency responders, they will assume responsibility for the individual’s care. Provide the team with comprehensive information regarding the person’s health and preceding circumstances. In diagnosing and devising a treatment plan, they will consider factors such as the individual’s:

• Age
• Medical history
• Overall health
• Family history

The sole objective will be to stabilize the person’s condition, which may include administering oxygen.

In the hospital setting, a medical team will conduct diagnostic tests and may offer the following treatment modalities:

• Medications, including those aimed at dissolving blood clots.
• Percutaneous coronary intervention, a mechanical procedure to restore blood flow to affected tissue.
• Coronary artery bypass grafting, commonly known as a heart bypass, which redirects blood flow around damaged areas of arteries to enhance circulation.
• Additionally, the healthcare team will collaborate with the individual to devise a comprehensive treatment plan geared towards averting future occurrences.

Recovery

The duration of recovery can vary, spanning several months, contingent upon factors like the heart attack’s severity, its underlying cause, and the individual’s age. The timelines for resuming normal activities may differ, such as:

• Physical activity
• Returning to work
• Driving
• Engaging in sexual activity

Guidance on recovery timelines and when to resume these activities will be provided by the individual’s doctor or healthcare team. Additionally, they will assist in devising a comprehensive plan aimed at restoring health and averting future heart attacks.

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