Many countries throughout the world use the month of February to draw attention to heart disease and other conditions related to the cardiovascular system. Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in Anguilla, and heart attacks affect some individuals some of whom do not recognises the symptoms until it is too late.
What is a heart attack?
Your heart muscle needs oxygen to survive. A heart attack occurs when the blood flow that brings oxygen to the heart muscle is severely reduced or cut off completely. This happens because coronary arteries that supply the heart muscle with blood flow can slowly become narrow from a build-up of fat, cholesterol and other substances that together are called plaque. This slow process is known as atherosclerosis . When a plaque in a heart artery breaks, a blood clot forms around the plaque. This blood clot can block the blood flow through the heart muscle. When the heart muscle is starved for oxygen and nutrients, it is called ischemia. When damage or death of part of the heart muscle occurs, as a result of ischemia, it is called a heart attack or myocardial infarction (MI).
What are the signs and symptoms of a heart attack?
The most common symptom is sudden and intense chest pain, but there also other not well known signs and symptoms. A little appreciated fact is that most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected are not sure what’s wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can indicate a heart attack is happening:
• Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the centre of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
• Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or light-headedness.
As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. Women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.
Know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack
All individual should know the signs of a heart attack especially if you have high blood pressure and diabetes mellitus or both together. If you have symptoms and signs you are not sure of see an experienced doctor and be evaluated. If you suddenly develop signs and symptoms seek urgent medical attention, even if this means calling 911.Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services (EMS) staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. EMS staff is also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the hospital, too. It is best to call EMS for rapid transport to the emergency room.
Conclusion
Many individuals have heart attacks and survive and live successful lives. It is important to recognise the signs and symptoms of a heart and to seek urgent medical attention when they occur so that lifesaving treatment can be started as soon as possible. In some cases a difference of five minutes might mean the difference between life and death. If you are not sure about your symptoms and signs it is still better to discuss them with your doctor than to dismiss them.
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
Dr Brett Hodge is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor who has over thirty two years in clinical practice. Dr Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 4975828).
