A Heart Attack is the death of a section of heart muscle caused by a lack of blood supply. The blood is cut off or severely reduced when a blood clot blocks an artery.
Today, thanks to medical and technological advances, if a patient who has suffered a Heart Attack gets immediate medical treatment in the emergency room, the damage can be reduced, so the chances of restoring his/her heart and health are favorable.
A Heart Attack occurs when one or more coronary arteries become blocked. Over time, a concentration of fat deposits, including cholesterol, form substances called plaques, which can narrow the arteries (Atherosclerosis). This condition, called coronary artery disease, causes most Heart Attacks.
Another cause of Heart Attack is a spasm of a coronary artery that inhibits blood flow from one part to part of the heart muscle. Using tobacco and illegal drugs, such as cocaine, can cause a life-threatening spasm.
There are apparent symptoms of a Heart Attack that need urgent medical attention.
A feeling of pressure in the chest
Pain in the chest or arms that spreads to the neck, jaw, or back
Coughing
Dizziness
Shortness of breath (Dyspnea)
Face seeming gray
Fullness or a choking feeling (it may feel like Heartburn)
Cold Sweating
Weakness and fatigue
Fast or irregular heartbeat
Some factors contribute to the accumulation of fatty deposits in the arteries (Atherosclerosis) that make them narrow. These factors are:
Age: Men over 45 and women over 55 are more likely to have a Heart Attack
Smoking
Having Hypertension
Having elevated cholesterol or triglyceride levels
Suffer from Obesity
Having Diabetes
Suffering from Metabolic syndrome
Family history of Heart Attacks
Lack of physical activity
Stress
Using illicit drugs, such as cocaine or methamphetamine, can trigger a spasm of the coronary artery, leading to a Heart Attack
Preeclampsia history
An autoimmune condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, can increase the risk of a Heart Attack
Your doctor may order tests such as:
At the first symptoms of a Heart Attack, call emergencies. The best time to handle a Heart Attack is within 1 or 2 hours after symptoms start.
Every minute after a Heart Attack, more heart tissue deteriorates or dies. Restoring blood flow helps prevent damage to the heart. Here are some medications used to treat Heart Attacks:
Aspirin. Aspirin reduces blood clotting, maintaining to keep blood flowing through narrow arteries
Thrombolytics. These medications help dissolve blood clots that block blood flow to the heart
Antiplatelet agents
Other blood-thinning medications, such as heparin, make the blood less dense or "sticky" and reduce the chance of other clots forming
Analgesics
Beta-blockers. They help the heart muscle to relax, slowing down the heart rate and lowering blood pressure, making it easier for the heart to work
Statins. Help control cholesterol
These medications commonly used for a Heart Attack list are mentioned only as a reference and informative purposes. Health professionals should only use the treatment and medications for a Heart Attack.
It's never too late to take action and prevent a Heart Attack, even if you've had one before. Here are the ways it can be prevented:
Avoid smoking
Eating a healthful diet
Exercising
Keeping a good sleep quality
Keeping Diabetes, Cholesterol, and Blood Pressure under control
Avoid alcohol
Maintaining a healthy weight
Avoiding or managing stress
A Heart Attack is a critical medical emergency. Suppose you or someone you know is experiencing common symptoms that could indicate a Heart Attack. In that case, you can go directly to the BlueNetHospitals Emergency Room in Los Cabos or call an ambulance at 624 1043 911.
The Cardiologist is the specialist doctor who will control this condition and give the appropriate recommendations to prevent Heart Attacks.
BlueNetHospitals - Hospital Los Cabos
BlueNet Hospitals.
Cardiac ablation is recommended when treatments are no longer effective or are not well tolerated to treat arrhythmias
Ventricular extrasystoles may not present symptoms; in other cases, they may cause unpleasant or alarming sensations.
A heart murmur is an unusual sound that is heard when blood flows through the heart.
Cardiac catheterization is an invasive procedure used to assess the heart and blood vessels by inserting a catheter into them.