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Heart attack

Myocardial infraction, Coronary heart disease - What are they ?

A myocardial infraction, commonly known as heart attack, occurs when blood supply to a part of the heart muscle is blocked off, causing severe damage in the area. Men and people with a family history of heart disease are more likely to suffer from heart attacks. The risk further increases with age, high blood cholesterol, obesity, and smoking. Whether it be mild or acute, a heart attack is a medical emergency. About one-third of the people who have heart attacks die of them,

SYMPTOMS

Attacks(chest pain resulting from the lack of oxygen reaching the heart):
Mild to severe crushing pain that starts in the center of the chest and may extend to the jaws, back, and arms(usually the left arm).The pain occurs when the heart works harder than normal(e.g., due to emotional or physical stress, heavy meals, or exposure to extreme heat or cold),thus needing more oxygen. Relief comes after a short rest.
Breathing difficulty.
Dizziness, nausea.
Sweating

Heart attack:

Sudden pain, as in angina, but more severe and prolonged(exceeding 30 minutes).Rest does not ease the pain.
Dizziness, nausea, vomiting.
Shock(pallor, rapid breathing, cold sweat, clammy skin, drowsiness, fast pulse rate, and loss of consciousness)

Complications

Arrhythmia(abnormal heart rhythm).
Heart failure(weakening of the heart's pumping action).*Cardiac arrest (the heart stops pumping).
Death.

CAUSE

Atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries due to fatty deposits along their walls). A high level of low density lipoprotein cholesterol causes excessive cholesterol to be deposited in the walls of the arteries. Blood clots can easily clog the narrowed arteries that lead to the heart, completely stopping the supply of blood to a part of the heart muscle, and resulting in tissue death in the area

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Place antianginal medicine under your tongue, as prescribed by your doctor.

The bystanders:

Call an ambulance or take the person to the emergency room of the nearest hospital if you suspect a heart attack.
Give first aid immediately.

WHAT YOUR DOCTOR/PHARMACIST CAN DO FOR YOU

Admit the patient into hospital for examination or intensive care.
Run an electrocardiogram(ECG) and other tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Treat with strong painkillers and other appropriate medicines.
Give the patient oxygen therapy.
Treat with thrombolytic to dissolve the clot, if the patient arrives at the hospital within six hours of the attack.
Determine the extent of damage.
Treat the complications.
Refer the patient to a specialist for angioplasty(widening narrowed arteries with a tiny balloon) or coronary bypass surgery.
Refer the patient for rehabilitation services.
Prescribe antianginal or other medicines for self-administered treatment at home.

PREVENTION TIPS

Quit smoking immediately. Smoking narrows arteries.
Avoid becoming overweight.

Eat a balanced diet, keeping it as fat-free as possible.

Do regular exercise, particularly aerobics(cycling, jogging. brisk walking).
Avoid stress.

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