Heart Attack: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors & Prevention Tips

Prevention & Lifestyle Changes for a Healthy Heart

A heart attack happens when blood flow to the heart is significantly decreased or obstructed. The obstruction typically results from an accumulation of fat, cholesterol, and other materials in the coronary arteries of the heart. The deposits that contain fat and cholesterol are referred to as plaques. The accumulation of plaque is known as atherosclerosis. 

At times, a plaque may break open and create a clot that obstructs blood circulation. Insufficient blood circulation can harm or incapacitate sections of the heart muscle. 

Symptoms 

Signs of a heart attack differ. A few individuals experience slight symptoms. Some experience intense symptoms. Certain individuals exhibit no symptoms. 

Typical symptoms of a heart attack consist of: 

• Chest discomfort that may feel like tightness, pressure, aching, squeezing, or pain. 
• Discomfort or pain that radiates to the shoulder, arm, back, neck, jaw, teeth, or occasionally the upper abdomen. 
• Chilly perspiration 
• Exhaustion 
• Acid reflux or dyspepsia 
• Feeling faint or unexpected dizziness 
• Feeling of queasiness 
• Difficulty in breathing 

Women might experience unusual symptoms like short or sharp pain in the neck, arm, or back. Occasionally, the initial indication of a heart attack is abrupt cardiac arrest. 

Certain heart attacks occur unexpectedly. However, numerous individuals experience warning signs and symptoms hours, days, or weeks beforehand. Persistent chest pain or pressure (angina) that doesn’t subside with rest could be an early warning indicator. Angina results from a short-term reduction in blood supply to the heart. 

When to See a Doctor?

Seek assistance immediately if you suspect you are experiencing a heart attack. Follow these procedures: 

• Request immediate medical assistance- If you believe you’re experiencing a heart attack, promptly dial 911 or your local emergency services. If you cannot reach emergency medical services, ask someone to take you to the closest hospital. Only drive yourself when there are no alternative choices available. 
• Use nitroglycerin if it has been prescribed to you by your doctor- Follow the instructions while waiting for emergency assistance. 
• Use aspirin, if advised- Using aspirin during a heart attack might lessen heart damage by stopping blood clots from forming. 

Aspirin may engage in interactions with other medications. Only take an aspirin if advised by your healthcare provider or emergency medical staff. Request emergency assistance initially.

What Actions to Take if You Notice Someone Possibly Experiencing a Heart Attack?

If a person is unresponsive and you suspect a heart attack, immediately dial your nearby emergency number. Next, verify if the individual is breathing and has a heartbeat. Only if the person isn’t breathing or you can’t locate a pulse should you start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). 

• If you haven’t been trained in CPR, perform hands-only CPR. This means to push firmly and quickly on the person’s chest-approximately 100 to 120 compressions per minute. 

• If you’re skilled in CPR and assured in your capabilities, begin with 30 chest compressions followed by two rescue breaths. 

Causes

Coronary artery disease is responsible for the majority of heart attacks. In coronary artery disease, one or more coronary arteries of the heart are obstructed. This is typically caused by deposits rich in cholesterol known as plaques. Plaques can constrict the arteries, diminishing blood flow to the heart. 

If a plaque ruptures, it may result in a blood clot forming in the heart. 

A heart attack can result from a full or partial obstruction of a coronary artery. A method to categorize heart attacks is by analyzing whether an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) reveals particular alterations (ST elevation) that necessitate urgent invasive intervention. Your healthcare provider might utilize electrocardiogram (ECG) findings to characterize these specific kinds of heart attacks. 

• A sudden total obstruction of a medium or large coronary artery typically indicates that you have experienced an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). 

• A partial blockage usually indicates that you’ve experienced a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Nonetheless, certain individuals with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) experience a complete obstruction. 

Not every heart attack results from obstructed arteries. Additional reasons consist of: 

• Coronary artery contraction. This is a significant constriction of a blood vessel that isn’t obstructed. The artery typically contains cholesterol deposits, or there is initial vessel hardening caused by smoking or various risk factors. Additional terms for coronary artery spasms include Prinzmetal’s angina, vasospastic angina, or variant angina. 

• Specific infections. COVID-19 and various viral infections can lead to impairment of the heart muscle. 

• Spontaneous dissection of coronary arteries (SCAD). This dangerous condition results from a rupture within a heart artery. 

Read More: Beat the Heat: Doctor-Approved Hydration Strategies for Extreme Temperatures

Risk Factors

Factors that increase the risk of a heart attack include: 

• • Years- Men aged 45 and above and women aged 55 and above are at a higher risk of experiencing a heart attack compared to younger men and women. 
  • Use of tobacco- This encompasses smoking as well as prolonged exposure to secondhand smoke. If you are a smoker, stop. 
  • Elevated blood pressure- With time, elevated blood pressure can harm the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Elevated blood pressure that accompanies other issues, like obesity, high cholesterol, or diabetes, further raises the risk. 
  • Elevated cholesterol or triglyceride levels- Elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) are most likely to constrict arteries. Elevated levels of specific blood fats known as triglycerides additionally raise the risk of heart attacks. Your risk of a heart attack may decrease if high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol-the “good” cholesterol-is maintained within the normal range. 

• Overweight Condition- Obesity is associated with hypertension, diabetes, elevated triglycerides, high bad cholesterol, and reduced good cholesterol. 

• Diabetes- Blood sugar increases when the body either fails to produce a hormone known as insulin or cannot utilize it effectively. Elevated blood sugar levels raise the likelihood of a heart attack. 

• Syndrome X- This involves at least three of the following factors: increased waist size (central obesity), elevated blood pressure, reduced good cholesterol, high triglyceride levels, and elevated blood sugar. If you have metabolic syndrome, your chances of developing heart disease are doubled compared to those who do not have it. 

• History of Heart attacks in the family- If a brother, sister, parent, or grandparent experienced an early heart attack (before age 55 for males and before age 65 for females), your risk may be heightened. 
• Insufficient physical activity- A deficiency in physical activity (sedentary lifestyle) is associated with an increased risk of heart attacks. Consistent physical activity enhances cardiovascular health. 

• Poor Nutrition- A diet rich in sugars, animal fats, processed foods, trans fats, and salt elevates the risk of heart attacks. Consume a lot of fruits, vegetables, fiber, and nutritious oils. 
• Tension- Emotional pressure, like intense rage, could elevate the likelihood of a heart attack. 
• Illicit Substance Consumption- Cocaine and amphetamines act as stimulants. They may induce a spasm in the coronary arteries that can lead to a heart attack. 
• A Background of Preeclampsia- This condition results in elevated blood pressure while pregnant. It raises the lifetime risk of developing heart disease. 
• A Disorder Caused by the Immune System Attacking the Body- Having conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus can elevate the likelihood of experiencing a heart attack. 

Read More : Summer Nutrition: Cooling Foods to Boost Fertility and Conception

Prevention

It’s always possible to take measures to prevent a heart attack-even if you’ve previously experienced one. Here are methods to avert a heart attack. 

• Adopt a Healthy Way of Living- Refrain from smoking. Sustain a healthy weight through a heart-friendly eating plan. Engage in consistent physical activity and handle stress effectively. 
• Oversee Additional Health Issues- Specific factors, like hypertension and diabetes, can elevate the likelihood of heart attacks. Inquire with your health care provider about the frequency of your checkups. 
• Use Medications as Instructed- Your healthcare provider might recommend medications to safeguard and enhance your heart health. 

It’s wise to learn CPR correctly so you can assist someone experiencing a heart attack. Think about enrolling in an accredited course for first-aid training that covers CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).