Unraveling the enigma of Heart Attacks

Heart attacks, also known as myocardial infarctions, are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. A heart attack happens when the blood flow in the heart is blocked or cut off completely.if there is no sufficient supply of the oxygen rich blood to the affected area then it can cause damage, and because of which the heart muscles begin to die.

Heart attack is a life threatening medical emergency and the sooner you get the medication the better are the chances of recovery. The blockage can be caused because of the accumulation of fat buildup, cholesterol or any other substances in the heart arteries. These fatty cholesterol are the deposits which are called plaques. And the process of this plaque buildup is known as atherosclerosis.

This plaque can often rupture and form a clot that might block the blood flow which can result in a heart attack.

ANATOMY OF THE HEART

It is very essential to understand the basic structure of your heart before getting more into heart attacks. Heart is a muscular organ which is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body. It has four chambers: two atria ( upper chamber) and two ventricles ( lower chamber). The coronary arteries supply the blood which is rich in oxygen and all the essential nutrients which are needed by the body and enabling it to function in an effective way.

CAUSES OF HEART ATTACK

Atherosclerosis – Coronary artery disease which causes most of the heart attacks in the world happens when one or more than one arteries of your heart is blocked due to the high cholesterol deposit in it called plaques. These plaques can narrow down your arteries which can reduce the flow of the blood to the heart.

Blood clots – sometimes these small pieces of plague in the coronary arteries might get a break through which would lead to a blood clot in your heart. These clots can block your arties even more, making them more narrow and increasing the risk of getting a heart attack even more.

Coronary artery spasm – also known as prinzmetal’s angina, or variant angina. These are some of the serious conditions which affect the blood vessels that are supplying blood to the heart. This spasm occurs when one of these arteries suddenly squeezes or contracts in a very tight way, which causes disruption in the blood flow.

Infections- heart attack can be caused due to some severe infections like COVID-19 and may other viral infections which causes damage to the heart muscle making it hard for your heart to pump blood.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection – SCAD is one of the most life threatening conditions which can be caused by the tear inside a heart artery which creates a blockage and disrupts blood flow. SCAD can often be linked to the pregnant women or the postpartum period, but it can definitely occur at any time.

SYMPTOMS OF A HEART ATTACK

The heart attack symptoms can vary from person to person. Many people have a very mild symptom while the others have some severe ones. On the other hand some people have no symptoms. Knowing these symptoms are very crucial for seeking appropriate and immediate medical attention.

Chest pain is one of the most common symptoms that people feel while getting a heart attack. It is like a tight, cruising, and a squeezing pain in the chest which can often go to your left arm, shoulder or even jaw.

Shortness of breath which is when you are finding it very difficult to breath suddenly or a severe shortness of breath. As there is a reduced ability to pump blood effectively it leads to the shortness of breath.

While getting a heart attack you can also experience nausea and vomiting sensation. The feeling of it can be very overwhelming and can result in some individuals vomiting and getting severe nausea.

You can also feel dizziness or lightheadedness which might occur due to the lack of oxygen that the brain is going through due to the compromised function of the heart. The people going through a heart attack can feel very weak, or as if they are going to faint. It is very important to lie down immediately if you are facing symptoms like this.

You may also experience severe pain in the upper abdomen or upper back during a heart attack. This pain can easily be mistaken for indigestion or stomach issues, which can delay the required medical attention.

Cold sweats which can often be described as a cold feeling which can be a sign that you are in severe distress during a heart attack. The stress triggers the sweating as it tries to cool down our body and cope up with the crisis.

RISK FACTOR

There are several risk factors which can increase the likelihood of experiencing a heart attack.

Smoking is one of the most well known factors for heart and lung related disease. The chemicals in the tobacco smoke can also harm the inner lining of the blood vessels, which can make them more susceptible to the buildup of fatty deposits or plaque.

Hypertension or also commonly known as high blood pressure which forces the heart to pump blood harder and try to circulate them throughout the body. This strain can cause the arteries to become narrower and also less flexible, making the plague accumulate easily.

Obesity or having too much accumulated extra fat in your body can be linked to several heart diseases which include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes. This excess body fat can contribute to inflammation and insulin resistance in which both can be associated with heart disease.

Genetics play a very important role in heart disease risk.If your family has a history of heart diseases it can increase the risk of you having it too. This is because of the lifestyle factors that run in the families, such as unhealthy eating habits or lack of working out which can also contribute to this risk.

Stress can be one of the contributing reasons in causing heart attacks chronic stress can lead to unhealthy coping up behaviors such as overeating, smoking, or excessive intake of alcohol. Stress can also increase the risk of getting high blood pressure. Which can also cause a heart attack.

PREVENTION

Prevention in getting a heart attack can require you making some lifestyle changes and managing risk factors. There are some of the preventive measures which can help you in reducing the risk of getting a heart attack.

Giving up on the habit of smoking can be one of the best and significant steps that you can take in reducing your risk. Smoking is one of the major contributors for heart disease. Smoking damages the blood vessels, it increases blood pressure and also elevates the risk of getting blood clots. Quitting can be very essential in improving your overall cardiovascular health.
Adopting a healthy diet which is rich in nutrients will help you in managing your weight and blood levels. Focus on having fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Try to reduce the consumption of red meat, sweet sugary beverages, processed food and food items which have high levels of sodium in it.
People who are dealing with diabetes can try to have proper management of blood sugar levels which is very crucial in reducing the risk of heart diseases. Try to monitor your blood glucose with which you also need to keep a balanced diet. Engage yourself in regular exercises and also by taking prescribed medication which is given to you by the doctor.

By adopting these measures and including them in your daily life routine you can significantly reduce the risk of experiencing a heart attack. You need to start prioritizing your health through the changes and regular medical check- ups is a path which can lead you into a long and healthy life.

What are the causes of Heart Attack?

Atherosclerosis, Blood clots, Coronary artery spasm, Infections are the causes of Heart Attack.

What are the Symptoms of a Heart Attack?

Chest pain, Shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting sensation, dizziness or lightheadedness, pain in the upper abdomen or upper back, Cold sweats are the Symptoms of a Heart Attack.

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