Myocardial infarction, also known as heart attack, is an emergency condition in which the heart muscle begins to die as a result of inadequate blood supply. This usually occurs due to blockage in the arteries that supply blood to the heart. As a consequence of absence of blood flow, the affected muscle begins to die. If blood supply to the heart is not restored immediately, a heart attack can cause permanent damage to the heart and even death.
The various symptoms experienced by people who get a heart attack are:
Chest pain: This can be mild and may feel like slight discomfort or heaviness, or it may be severe and intolerable. It usually starts from the chest and radiates to other areas, like the left arm, shoulder, neck, jaw, back, or even towards the waist.
Breathlessness.
Fatigue.
Difficulty in falling asleep.
Nausea or discomfort in the stomach. It is for this reason that heart attacks are confused for indigestion or heartburn.
Palpitations.
Feeling of “impending doom”.
Sweating profusely.
Feeling lightheaded or dizzy.
Recently, it has been established that women are less likely to have chest discomfort or pain that feels like indigestion. They are more likely to suffer from symptoms like breathlessness, fatigue, and insomnia. They have higher chances of experiencing nausea, vomiting, and pain radiating to the back, shoulders, neck, arms, and abdomen.
Most of the heart attacks occur as a result of blockage in the arteries that supply blood to the heart. This occurs commonly due to deposition of fatty substances in the blood vessel walls, a condition commonly known as atherosclerosis. Sometimes, the deposits can break open or rupture, and a blood clot can form around the site of rupture. If the clot blocks the artery, it can deprive the heart muscles of blood, eventually causing a heart attack.
However, heart attacks are possible without a blockage, too. This is a rare occurrence and can occur due to one of the following reasons:
Spasm of the coronary artery
Medical conditions that cause narrowing of the blood vessels
Obstruction that may come from any part of the body, like a blood clot or air bubble (embolism)
Electrolyte imbalance
Eating disorders
Compression of anomalous coronary arteries
Although anyone can have a heart attack, there are a few conditions that increase the chances of developing heart attack:
Chances of having a heart attack increase after the age of 45 in men, while it can increase dramatically after the age of 50 in females.
Family history of heart attack.
Sedentary lifestyle.
Underlying health conditions and diseases, like diabetes, obesity, high lipid levels, and high blood pressure.
FAQs
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How can heart attack be prevented?
There are a few non-modifiable factors, like family history, age, and sex, that cannot be reversed. However, there are modifiable factors like having an active lifestyle and eating a healthy diet can help keep your heart healthy and prevent heart attack.
How much time does it take for one to recover after a heart attack?
In general, one may get relief from the symptoms of heart attack after receiving treatment. However, one may experience some weakness and fatigue during hospital stay. The average hospital stay for a patient is usually 4–5 days.
Can stress cause a heart attack?
Stress can lead to rise in blood pressure levels, which can pose risk for heart attack and stroke.
Do heart attacks happen suddenly?
Heart attacks can happen suddenly as well as slowly and vary in the degree of intensity. Most of them start slowly with mild symptoms and progress slowly.
What are complications of heart attack?
Arrhythmias, heart failures, heart valve problems, cardiac arrest, depression, and anxiety are some of the complications associated with heart attack. Sometimes, mechanical complications like ventricular defects and free wall rupture can occur.
How does a heart attack feel?
Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the chest and last for more than a few minutes. It can lead to a feeling of uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, and fullness.
Can an ECG detect a heart attack?
ECG records the electrical impulses generated by the heart. It helps diagnose a heart attack. It also helps to diagnose the type of heart attack that one may be having. This, in turn, will help us determine the treatment.
How long does a heart attack last?
Heart attacks last for 2–5 minutes. They can also last for 20 minutes if there is a complete blockage.
Advanced Technology & Facilities
At Aster, we provide the best services so that a heart attack can be diagnosed at the earliest and the best form of treatment can be provided to the patient. Healthcare professionals usually diagnose a heart attack by the symptoms, as well as by physical examination, which includes checking pulse rate, blood oxygen levels, and blood pressure. One or more of the following methods are generally used for diagnosis:
- The healthcare provider assesses the medical history of the patient and checks for the symptoms they are experiencing.
- Blood tests may be required to confirm the diagnosis. At the time of a heart attack, the heart muscle cells are damaged, leading to the release of a chemical marker, a cardiac troponin, in the bloodstream.
- Electrocardiogram is one of the first tests that is recommended for anyone who complains of chest pain.
- An Echocardiogram generates a picture of the inside and outside of the heart, which helps get an idea about blood flow through the heart.
- Angiograms show the areas that have little or no blood flow.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan shows a detailed scan of the heart.
- Heart MRI uses a powerful magnetic field and a computer to create an image of the heart
- Nuclear heart scans are very similar to angiography. In this, a radioactive dye is injected into the blood. Then computer-enhanced methods like computed tomography and positron emission tomography scans are used to visualize the heart.
A heart attack is a medical emergency that needs to be treated urgently. The treatment usually involves restoring blood flow to the affected heart muscle as soon as possible. This can be done by various methods, like taking medications and surgery. Some of the most common methods of treatment that are useful are:
Supplementary oxygen
Supplementary oxygen is usually given to people who have trouble breathing or have low blood oxygen levels. One may use a cannula or a face mask to breathe. This increases the amount of oxygen that circulates in the blood and reduces the strain on the heart.
Medications
Anti-clotting medications like aspirin are usually prescribed. Medications like nitroglycerin usually provide relief from chest pain and dilate the blood vessels so that blood can pass through it easily. Thrombolytic agents are usually given within 12 hours after having a heart attack. Heart attacks often cause disturbance in the normal rhythms of the heart. This can be a life-threatening condition that needs urgent attention. Finally, medicines to alleviate pain are given.
Percutaneous coronary interventions
Percutaneous coronary interventions make use of a catheter placed inside the blood vessel, usually through a vessel in the upper thigh or wrist. This procedure helps restore blood flow and improve the overall outcome of the patient. Most hospitals measure their ability to deal with emergencies like heart attack with a parameter called “door-to balloon time.” This is the average it takes for a patient who wants to undergo this procedure to reach the hospital and get it.
Coronary artery bypass grafting
Procedures like coronary artery bypass surgery are reserved for patients who have severe blockage in the coronary arteries. This surgery involves taking a blood vessel from any part of the body and making an alternative pathway for the blood.
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