What do you mean by a heart attack?
Heart attack occurs when the blood supply to a part of the heart is interrupted. A heart attack is a result of two processes-
One is the gradual and slow narrowing of the coronary arteries which supply the heart muscle with blood The second is a sudden and abrupt blockage of the artery due to the development of a blood clot in the narrow artery
The result is a sudden cut off in the nutrients and oxygen supply to the heart muscle causing damage and potential death of heart tissue. It is a medical emergency and leading cause of death in both men and women
Risk Factors
Family history of heart attack Syncope Smoking High Cholesterol [Normal - 135 – 200mg/dl] Low HDL [Normal - > 30 mg/dl] High LDL [Normal - <130mg/dl] Diabetes High Blood Pressure Obesity Lack of exercises Stress Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
Signs and Symptoms
Chest pain, usually across the anterior chest, typically is described as tightness, pressure, or squeezing. Pain may radiate to the jaw, neck, arms, back, and epigastrium. The left arm is affected more frequently, however a patient may experience pain in both arms. Shortness of breath Nausea Vomiting Palpitations Sweating Anxiety Feeling of impending doom Fatigue, weakness, lightheadedness with or without syncope Elderly patients may present with only altered mental status DOOM The most common symptoms of MI in women include shortness of breath, weakness, and fatigue.
How is a heart attack diagnosed?
When there is severe chest pain, suspicion that a heart attack is occurring usually is high, and tests can be performed quickly that will confirm the heart attack
ECG-An electrocardiogram is a recording of the electrical activity of the heart Echocardiography- reveals heart attack & the extent of the heart damage Blood tests- A series of blood tests for the enzymes performed over a 24 hour periodare useful to confirm the diagnosis of the heart attack and also changes in the valves and also correlates with the amount of heart muscle that has died Coronary angiography- It is a diagnostic procedure in which a radio opaque contrast medium that can be seen using X-Ray imaging is injected through a flexible catheter which is passed along the artery in the groin or arm into the heart to explore & examine the heart blood vessels
How is a heart attack treated?
Supplemental oxygen to increase the supply of oxygen to the heart's muscle & to reduce the workload of the heart Thrombolytic therapy- Thrombolytic therapy is a treatment used to break up dangerous clots inside the blood vessels. This helps restart blood flow to the heart and help prevent damage to the heart muscle. Thrombolytics can stop a heart attack that would otherwise be deadly. You have a better chance of surviving and recovering from a heart attack if you receive a thrombolytic drug within 12 hours after the heart attack starts. Ideally, you should receive thrombolytic medications within the first 90 minutes after arriving at the hospital for treatment. Medications- To decrease the need for oxygen by the heart muscle and to relieve pain. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting ( CABG)
How Can a Heart Attack Be Prevented
Quit smoking. Your doctor can help you. (If you don't smoke, don't start!) Eat a healthy diet. Cut back on foods high in saturated fat and sodium (salt) to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Ask your doctor about how to start eating a healthy diet. Control your blood sugar if you have diabetes. Exercise. This sounds hard if you haven't exercised for a while, but try to work up to at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise at least 4 times a week Lose weight if you're overweight, doctor can advise you about the best ways to lose weight.
Ms. Pushpa Latha, MSN from Vinayaka Mission's University, Selam, India. experienced in Bedside Nursing, Education and Management for 22 years. presently working in Dubai
