On the occasion of World Heart Day 2019 on 29 September, Dr Prabhu C Halkati, Sr Interventional cardiologist at Lakeview Heart & Superspecialty Hospital, Belgaum, throws more light on causes, symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis treatment and prevention of heart attacks
HEART ATTACK
A myocardial infarction heart attack is a life-threatening condition that occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle is abruptly cut off, causing tissue damage. This is usually the result of a blockage in one or more of the coronary arteries (blood vessels for the heart). A blockage can develop due to a buildup of plaque, a substance mostly made of fat, cholesterol, and cellular waste products.
SYMPTOMS
Apart from chest pain and shortness of breath, the most common symptoms are pressure or tightness in back, jaw, and other areas lasting for a few minutes or shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, a cough, dizziness, a fast heart rate.
Most common symptom is the chest pain among both women and men.
However, women are more likely than men to have: shortness of breath, jaw pain, upper back pain, light-headedness, nausea, vomiting.
CAUSES
Heart the main organ in our cardiovascular system, includes blood vessels like arteries. The coronary arteries take oxygen rich blood specifically to the heart muscle. When arteries are blocked or narrowed due to a buildup of plaque, decreasing blood flow to the heart causing heart attack.
Bad cholesterol (LDL), Cholesterol is a colorless substance in food causing heart attack. The body also makes it naturally. Not all cholesterol is bad, but LDL cholesterol sticks to the walls of arteries and produce plaque, blocking blood flow. Blood platelets, help clotting of blood may stick to the plaque and build up over time.
Saturated fats: Found mostly in meat and dairy products, these fats also contribute to the buildup of plaque by increasing the amount of bad cholesterol in the blood system reducing good cholesterol.
Trans fat: Another type of fat that contributes to clogged arteries is trans fat, or hydrogenated fat. Usually artificially produced and can be found in a variety of processed foods, hydrogenated oils etc.
RISK FACTORS
Following factors may increase your risk of having a heart attack like high cholesterol levels, high triglyceride levels, diabetes and high blood sugar levels that can damage blood vessels leading to coronary artery disease. This may also trigger heart attacks .Obesity, associated with diabetes, high blood pressure,high cholesterol levels, high triglyceride levels. Other factors that increase risk of heart attack are smoking, age, family history.
Stress, lack of exercise, the use of certain illegal drugs, including cocaine and amphetamines, a history of high blood pressure during pregnancy.
DIAGNOSIS
Doctors determine heart attacks by checking irregularities in heartbeats and checking blood pressures. Number of different tests are conducted in case of suspicion of heart attack. An electrocardiogram (ECG) may be done to measure your heart’s electrical activity that includes routine and advanced blood tests. Other diagnostic tests include: a stress test, exercise; an echocardiogram to identify areas of heart that aren’t working properly; an angiogram is required with coronary catheterization.
TREATMENT
Required immediately, most treatments begin in the emergency room. Primary angioplasty in acute MI (PAMI) may be used. The stent used during angioplasty can prevent the artery from closing again.
A coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) may be conducted, where, the surgeon will reroute veins and arteries so the blood can flow around the blockage depending upon the condition.
After treatment chances of recovering depend on magnitude of damage and how quickly emergency care is received. Most patients resume normal activities after a heart attack. Doctors help develop a specific plan for recovery combined with medication and rehabilitation.
PREVENTION
To prevent a heart attack and lower your risk is to eat a heart-healthy diet, consisting of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, lean protein. Reduce the amount of diet like sugar, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol etc., more so for diabetics and people with high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Exercising regularly will also improve cardiovascular health. If you’ve had a heart attack recently, speak to doctor before starting a new exercise plan.
Quitting smoking will significantly lower your risk of a heart attack and improve both your heart and lung health. You should also avoid being around secondhand (passive) smoke.
