Heart attack occurs when the blood flow to the heart is critically reduced or completely blocked, causing the person to feel varying degrees of chest pain. If not treated promptly, the affected heart tissue dies.

Chest pain does not always mean a person is suffering from a heart attack. It can be a sign that there is a problem in another body system such as in the lungs or gastrointestinal tract.

Prior to a heart attack, most victims experience episodes of angina (chest pain) that, like a heart attack, is provoked by blockage of blood flow to the heart (ischemia). With angina, blood flow is quickly restored, pain recedes within minutes, and the heart is not permanently damaged.

World Heart Day will be held on Sunday, 27 September 2009 to inspire you to “Work with Heart”. World Heart Day was created to inform people around the globe that heart disease and stroke are the world’s leading cause of death, claiming 17.2 million lives each year.

However, a third of all heart attacks occur without warning signs. The victims suffer from sporadic interruptions of blood flow to the heart that, for unknown reasons, are pain free, although they gradually damage the heart tissue. This condition is known as silent ischemia and can be detected by an ECG (electrocardiogram).

Causes Of Heart attack

The most common cause of heart attack is atherosclerosis (narrowing of the artery due to build-up of cholesterol) of one or more arteries that supply the heart. The heart needs a steady supply of oxygen to function well. When there is disruption of the blood flow due to blockage or narrowing of the artery, oxygen supply to the heart is compromised. If the blood flow is not restored, the heart cells are injured and eventually die.

 

Risk factors of heart attacks include the following:

*High blood pressure
*High blood lipids especially LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol
*Obesity
*Diabetes
*Too much stress
*Inactive lifestyle
*Tobacco smoking
*Excessive alcohol consumption
*Family history of heart attack
*High levels of certain proteins in the body like C-reactive protein, fibrinogen and homocysteine.

In general, men have higher risk than women of heart attacks. However, women increase their risk of heart attack after menopause.

Heart attack symptoms

*Prolonged crushing, squeezing or burning pain in the center of the chest
*Pain that radiates from the chest area to the neck, arms, shoulders or the jaw
*Shortness of breath
*Dizziness
*Nausea
*Chills and sweating
*Weak pulse
*Cold and clammy skin, gray pallor, a severe appearance of illness

Complications
Damage to the heart caused by heart attack leads to serious consequences like:
*Heart failure
*Abnormal heart beats which can be fatal
*Weakening of heart muscles with the potential risk of heart rupture
*Damage to the heart valves
 
Treatment
Nitroglycerin, Thrombolytic agents and Anticoagulants are used to treat heart attacks.

Nitroglycerin dilates the blood vessels to the heart. It is administered sublingually (under the tongue), and quickly reduces or relieves the chest pain.

Thrombolytics are given intravenously to dissolve the blood clot that is causing the heart attack.

Aspirin is an anticoagulant. If you feel chest pain and suspect that you are suffering a heart attack, take an aspirin even before you get to the hospital. The aspirin will “thin” the blood and reduce further clot formation. Heparin, another type of anticoagulant, is administered intravenously for a few days after a heart attack has occurred.

In addition to the medications, you may undergo surgery like ballooning or bypass to manage blockage of the arteries.

Prevention
*If you are at high risk for heart attacks, make changes to your lifestyle by maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular physical activity and eating a heart healthy diet.
*Go for regular medical checkups so that if conditions like high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and diabetes exist, early intervention can be taken to prevent heart attacks.
*If you smoke, ask for help to quit the habit. Seek advice from your doctor or call the QuitLine.
*Learn to manage your stress and control your levels of anger as these may raise your risk of heart attack.
*Reduce your alcohol consumption.
*Stay in touch with friends and family. Research has shown that people who lack social support are more vulnerable to heart attacks.
*Studies show that taking an aspirin daily significantly reduces the risk of heart attack. Check with your doctor if this medication is suitable for you

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