Despite many advances in medicine many individuals still continue to develop heart attacks and suffer many complications including death. Some of these complications can be prevented or minimized if individuals recognise the early warning signs of a heart attack and seek urgent medical attention.
What is a heart attack?
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 the arteries that supply the heart with blood can slowly become thicker and harder from a buildup of fat, cholesterol and other substances (plaque).
A heart attack, also called a myocardial infarction, can be fatal. This is often because people confuse their symptoms with a minor illness, like indigestion, and delay going to the hospital.
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, and the diagnosis is obvious to most people, but most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Sometimes people affected are not sure what is wrong and wait too long before getting help. Signs and symptoms might also vary from females and males.
Signs and symptoms of a heart attack
Although the signs and symptoms of a heart attack might vary from one individual to another, the following occur in many individuals suffering a heart attack:
• 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.
• Anxiety. You may feel a sense of doom or feel as if you are having a panic attack for no apparent reason.
• Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
Signs and symptoms of a heart attack in women
In addition to the symptoms and signs discussed above, women can have other signs and symptoms. They might not have the classical chest pain or discomfort but, instead, they may experience shortness of breath, pressure or pain in the lower chest or upper abdomen, dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting, upper back pressure or extreme fatigue.This fatigue might be unusual or unexplained. Some women do have chest pain when having a heart attack, but women are more likely than men to have heart attack symptoms without chest pain.
Getting help
If you have any of the signs and symptoms discussed, do not wait more than five minutes before calling for help. Call 9-1-1 and get to the hospital right away.
Some experts might recommend taking an aspirin, but this should not prevent you from getting urgent medical attention. If you cannot get an ambulance have someone drive you to the hospital.
Most heart attacks begin with subtle symptoms — with only discomfort that often is not described as pain. The chest discomfort may come and go. Do not be tempted to downplay your symptoms or brush them off as indigestion or anxiety.
Preventing heart disease
Heart disease is preventable in many instances. The following might prove beneficial:
• Schedule an appointment with your doctor to learn your personal risk for heart disease.
• Quit smoking. Did you know that just one year after you quit, you will cut your risk of coronary heart disease by 50 percent?
• Start an exercise programme. Just walking 30 minutes a daycan lower your risk for heart attack and stroke.
• Modify your family’s diet if needed. Talk to your dietitian, nutritionist or doctor if you need more information on this.
• If you suffer from high blood pressure or diabetes make sure it is under control. If not see your doctor.
Conclusion
A heart attack, also called myocardial infarction, affects many individuals. The signs and symptoms often include chest pain and discomfort, but sometimes symptoms and signs might be vague and non-specific. Often, individuals with signs and symptoms of a heart attack ignore them and fail to seek medical attention. If you have signs and symptoms suggestive of a heart attack you are recommended to seek urgent medical attention. A heart attack can be fatal if not diagnosed early and treated professionally.
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. Dr Brett Hodge is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor who has over twenty nine years in clinical practice. Dr Hodge has a medical practice in the Johnson Building in The Valley.
