HEART ATTACK
What is a heart attack?
The heart, similar to any other part of the body, needs a supply oxygen provided by blood. A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is reduced because of the formation of a clot, which prevents blood flow and leads to damage to the heart.
What increases your risk for a heart attack?
The major risk factors are:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Lack of exercise
- High cholesterol
- Obesity
What are some symptoms of a heart attack?
What are symptoms of a heart attack?
1) Chest pain that is…
– Worse with activity i.e. climbing up the stairs
– Radiates to jaw, and both arms or shoulders
– Lasts more than 20 minutes
2) Shortness of breath
3) Sweating
4) Nausea and or vomiting
How are heart attacks treated?
How is a heart attack treated?
1) If you heart attack was not a complete blockage of your heart’s blood supply, then doctors will often treat with medications to thin the blood.
2) If there is one specific area of narrowing in the blood vessel – then doctors will use a balloon and stent to open the area. The stent and balloon are meant to increase blood flow to that specific area of the heart.
3) If there are multiple blockages– doctors will consider doing a coronary artery bypass surgery to go around the blocked area. This involves taking blood vessels from elsewhere in your body (e.g. thigh) and using them for your heart to form a new blood supply.
What long term complications can happen after a heart attack?
- Reduced heart function– when heart muscles stop receiving oxygen, they lose their ability to pump as effectively. Following a heart attack you can be at risk of developing heart failure, where the heart does not pump blood effectively around the body.
- Abnormal heart beat (arrhythmia)– Following a heart attack, the wiring in your heart that transmits electricity to cause the muscle to contract can be damaged. After a heart attack this wiring can “Short out” and this can cause an abnormal heart rhythm known as an arrhythmia.
- Stroke– When the heart doesn’t pump normally there are parts of the heart where blood can become stagnant from not moving. When blood isn’t pumped it can form a clot and these clots are at risk for travelling from the heart to the brain. If a blood clot reaches the brain it causes brain damage due to a lack of blood flow and is called a stroke.