Signs of Heart Attack

Heart is a highly specialized muscular organ that maintains the blood circulation throughout the body. Heart attack or acute myocardial infarction results from death of heart tissues due to complete blockage in one of the coronary arteries supplying blood to heart. When blood-borne oxygen is not supplied to heart tissue for longer than 30 minutes, known as ischemia, there may be irreversible death of heart muscles, which can lead to chest pain and pressure. In most cases, this blockage is due to coronary heart disease, also known as atherosclerosis. Sudden cardiac arrest results from the abnormal rhythm of heart, which can lead to stop beating suddenly. Some risk factors for cardiac arrest are severe physical stress, heart disease and inherited heart conditions. According to the statistics by World Health Organization (WHO), coronary heart disease is responsible for about 17 million deaths every year throughout the world.

Causes and risk factors for heart attack

Coronary heart disease (CHD), atherosclerosis, is the primary risk factor for heart attack. Being overweight can be a risk factor for CHD and heart attack. Some significant risk factors for heart attack are age, diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), gender (male), heredity, elevated levels of certain proteins and amino acids (c-reactive protein, homocysteine, fibrinogen), high fat diet, lack of exercise, low levels of HDL cholesterol and high levels of LDL cholesterol, stress and smoking.

Some other causes of heart attack are as follows:

• Congenital heart conditions
• Complications from bypass surgery or cardiac catheterization
• Coronary embolization
• Inflammatory heart disease

Signs and symptoms of heart attack

It is very important to understand signs of heart attack for diagnostic and treatment purpose. According to medical experts, your body will likely to show some warning signs of heart attack. Symptoms of heart attack may vary from person to person, and even an individual having previous heart attack may have some different symptoms in subsequent attack. Some most significant signs of heart attack are:

• Most heart attacks can cause discomfort in the center of the chest, which may last for more than few minutes. It may feel like squeezing, uncomfortable pressure, pain or fullness. Patient may be troubled by shortness of breath.
• Patient may experience discomfort or pain in other areas of upper body including both arms, neck, back, stomach or jaw. Pain can be mild or intense spreading to shoulders, arms or neck. Patient may feel like tightness, pressure, heavy weight or burning.
• There may be lightheadness, sweating, fainting, paleness and nausea.
• Other signs of heart attack are anxiety, sweaty skin, nervousness, irregular or increased heart rate and feeling of impending doom.

Not all these signs are observed in every attack. Just like in men, the most common symptom of heart attack in women is chest discomfort or pain. However, women are more likely to experience some other common symptoms such as shortness of breath, back or jaw pain and nausea or vomiting. Knowing early warning signs of heart attack is a must for proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Diagnosis of heart attack

If patient experiences severe chest pain and suspects of heart attack, then he/she should opt for immediate medical treatment. Some diagnostic tests prescribed by the doctor are Electrocardiogram (ECG), laboratory investigations such as determination of cardiac enzymes (Creatine phosphokinase, Creatine phosphokinase-MB), serum troponin levels etc.

Treatment for heart attack

Prompt medical attention is the most important factor in treating heart attack. Rapid evaluation enables early treatment for abnormal rhythms like ventricular fibrillation as well as early reperfusion by the procedures that involve unclogging of blocked coronary arteries. The treatment focuses on quickly opening the blocked artery and restoring blood flow to heart muscle. Various treatment options include anti-platelet medications, anti-coagulant medications, coronary angiography with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, clot dissolving medications, supplemental oxygen, medications to reduce the need for oxygen by the heart muscles and medications to prevent abnormal heart rhythms.

Heart attack is considered as a medical emergency and prompt and accurate treatment can increase the possibilities of survival. Hence whenever you notice the signs of heart attack, immediately seek medical attention in order to reduce the severity of this life-threatening condition.