Darrick Robles In the event of a heart attack, immediate medical help is required. If an infarction is treated in time, the heart can usually fully recover. Therefore, it is important to deal with the possible signs and risk factors.
What is a heart attack?
“A heart attack (or myocardial infarction) occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle is cut off. The trigger for this is usually a blood clot in a coronary artery,” explains Dr. Rhianna McClymont, Principal Physician at Livi. “In this case, the heart muscle tissue is not sufficiently supplied with oxygen. This damages the heart muscle and impairs its function.”
What risk factors favor a heart attack?
There are a number of factors that increase the risk of a heart attack. This includes:
There are also some uncontrollable risk factors, such as B. a corresponding family history. The risk of a heart attack also increases in men after the age of 45 and in women after the menopause .
How do you feel when you have a heart attack?
“When you have a heart attack, you have a strong feeling of pressure or tightness in your chest and a pinching, cramping pain in the middle or left side of your chest,” explains Dr. McClymont. However, this pain or tightness can also radiate to the left arm, neck or back. They are often accompanied by other symptoms, such as:
But other symptoms of a heart attack can also occur – some are less common and some are less obvious. Some of those affected suffer from inexplicable severe tiredness or have the feeling of fainting . Diabetics often have few or very mild symptoms. Rarely, there are no symptoms at all, and people are surprised to learn they’ve had a heart attack.
What is a silent heart attack?
“In the case of a silent or silent heart attack, there are no classic symptoms such as severe pain in the chest. It can then lead to other more unusual symptoms such as indigestion . This is more common in women, the elderly and diabetics. In this case, it is more difficult to recognize a heart attack,” explains Dr. McClymont.
Heart attack symptoms are often different in men and women
“Both men and women experience the typical symptoms of a heart attack, such as chest tightness, but in some cases, the signs of a heart attack are less obvious in women . In women, a heart attack often manifests itself with more atypical symptoms such as dizziness, nausea or digestive problems,” explains Dr. McClymont. A heart attack in which such atypical symptoms occur can often go unnoticed.
More studies are needed to find out more about the different symptoms women and men experience when they have a heart attack. Women with chronic heart disease have poorer chances of survival and recovery after a heart attack, since a heart attack often goes undetected in them due to the non-specific symptoms – such as stomach pain, shortness of breath, nausea and tiredness.
Misdiagnosis of a heart attack is common overall. In a third of all those affected, the heart attack is not recognized. Women are twice as likely to be misdiagnosed.
This is also partly because women sometimes have lower levels of troponin. Troponin is a protein that is released into the bloodstream during a heart attack. The troponin level is determined to diagnose a heart attack. Elevated values indicate a heart attack, but these values are generally lower in women.
How to distinguish a heart attack from angina pectoris?
Angina pectoris (chest tightness) is what doctors call an attack of pain in the heart area. “Symptoms of angina pectoris typically occur after physical exertion or stress, i.e. when the heart muscle needs more oxygen. A heart attack announces itself with the same symptoms, but it is caused by a blocked coronary artery,” explains Dr. McClymont.
“The symptoms of angina pectoris are usually only temporary and mainly occur when the heart is subjected to increased stress. The pain and tightness will subside once the body calms down.”
What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
“Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating,” explains Dr. McClymont. There are many different causes of cardiac arrest. A vessel may be blocked by a large blood clot. A disruption in the electrical impulses that make the heart beat can also lead to cardiac arrest .
Heart attack and cardiac arrest: How do I act correctly?
“The earlier a heart attack is diagnosed and treated, the less damage there is to the heart muscle and the better the prognosis,” explains Dr. McClymont. It is therefore important that the symptoms are recognized as soon as possible.
If you think someone is having a heart attack, here’s what you should do:
- A heart attack is an absolute emergency. Immediately call the emergency doctor/rescue service (112).
- A quick revive can save lives! Start with chest compressions (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) if you know how. In some rescue coordination centers, the employees can guide you over the phone and help you with resuscitation until the emergency doctor arrives.
How can I prevent a heart attack?
You can’t do anything about getting older or your family history, but with a healthy lifestyle you can significantly reduce the risk of heart attack and actively do something for your health. Important lifestyle factors are:
- stop smoking
- drink less alcohol
- move enough
- maintain a healthy weight
- healthy diet high in fruits, vegetables, and fiber and low in saturated fat, trans fat, salt, and sugar
“Also, blood pressure should be measured regularly. Many people have high blood pressure without realizing it,” adds Dr. McClymont added.
If you’re concerned about your cholesterol, blood pressure, or other heart-related symptoms, you should make an appointment with a doctor.
