What is a heart attack?
In some patients, the blood supply to a part of the heart muscle stops suddenly. This happens most often due to the formation of a clot inside one of the three coronary arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle. When this happens, the heart muscle that receives blood from the respective coronary artery gets damaged. This is termed as a heart attack.
It is advised to quickly visit the Best Cardiology Hospital in Bangalore nearby to get treated by a cardiologist.
Are heart attacks hereditary or can they be age-dependent?
Family history plays an important role in the causation of heart attacks. The risk of a heart attack in a person more than doubles if a first-degree relative (parents, siblings, or children) has had a heart attack in the past.
While there are exceptions, heart attacks are generally seen in older adults. The typical age for a man to have a heart attack is 55 years and above and for a woman it is 65 years and above.
When heart attacks are seen in men younger than 55 years and women younger than 65 years it is termed as Premature Heart Attack or Premature Coronary artery disease.
In India, during the last two decades, more and more adults who are younger have been noted to have heart attacks. Studies have shown that between 15-22% of all heart attacks are seen in adults younger than 40 years of age.
Do all types of heart attacks have the same symptoms?
Of course not. Symptoms of heart attack can vary from case to case. The commonest symptom of a heart attack is chest pain. This is seen in about 70% of all heart attack patients. The remainder can present with breathlessness, arm or back pain, cold sweats, loss of consciousness, or palpitations. Some patients may have no symptoms at all and are said to have a Silent Heart attack.
If you experience any of these symptoms, then immediately consult the Best Cardiologist in Bangalore.
How do a heart attack and stroke differ?
A lot of people use these terms interchangeably.
Heart attack refers to damage to the heart muscle. Stroke refers to paralysis of limbs or face or any other neurological function due to damage to the brain resulting from clotting or bleeding in the blood vessels of the brain. They are clinically different and the terms should ideally not be interchanged.
How are heart attacks treated?
As soon as a diagnosis of heart attack is made, blood-thinning medications (Aspirin, Clopidogrel are common ones) are administered. The definitive treatment is Coronary angiography followed by primary coronary angioplasty to restore blood flow in the coronary artery causing the attack.
However, if for some reason, angioplasty cannot be performed, certain medicines (thrombolytic drugs, or clot busters) are administered in the form of injections. Primary Angioplasty is a more effective and safer form of treatment for a heart attack, but in some circumstances (e.g., remote areas) these drugs can be life-saving.
Can a stent get blocked again? Is it possible to insert another stent in the same place?
Yes. In about 5-10% of patients, especially those who are not on medication, have uncontrolled diabetes, develop kidney failure, or continue to smoke, stents can show narrowing (restenosis). If a disciplined lifestyle is not followed, new blockages can appear in other areas of the vessels too.
Stent restenosis can be treated by balloon angioplasty, a second stent, drug-coated balloons, or by Bypass surgery.
What is Normal blood pressure?
Normal blood pressure is defined as blood pressure of 120 mmHg systolic, 80 mmHg diastolic. Blood pressure of 140/90 or higher is termed as hypertension.
How can I reduce my risk of developing heart disease?
A disciplined lifestyle would not only take care of the heart but also keep other diseases at bay. The key changes are
Quit smoking
Exercise regularly
Maintain a healthy weight
Control blood pressure and diabetes well
Keep cholesterol levels in check
Manage stress
Why is high blood pressure dangerous?
Higher the blood pressure, higher is the risk of damage to the heart and blood vessels in major organs such as the kidney and brain.
Uncontrolled hypertension can lead to an enlargement of the heart, heart attack, and eventually heart failure. Hypertension can also lead to blindness, stroke, and kidney failure.
What is valvular heart disease?
The heart’s valves keep blood flowing through the heart in the right direction. But a range of conditions can result in valvular damage. Valves may narrow (stenosis), not close properly (prolapse) or leak (regurgitation or insufficiency). This can cause your body to be disrupted by the blood flow through your heart.
