Introduction

Heart diseases are one of the top causes of death for both men and women all around the globe. This blog will enlighten you about the biology behind the term “Heart Attack”, along with its types and their treatments, preventions, symptoms, risks, and recovery.

 

What is a Heart Attack?

As we know, the heart is a hollow pumping organ that is responsible for the transportation of blood to all parts of the body. Every body cell requires blood for nutrients, oxygen, waste removal, etc. In the same manner, the muscles of the heart also require blood for their functionality. Arteries are responsible for the transport of blood to the heart. When arteries fail to transport blood to a portion of the heart muscle, it damages that part. This condition is called a Heart Attack, or in scientific terms, a Myocardial Infarction.

 

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What are the three types of heart attacks?

Following are the three types of heart attack;

ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)

A STEMI heart attack is serious and demands urgent care. These attacks happen when a major portion of the coronary artery is completely stopped, cutting off blood flow to the heart.

Symptoms

• discomfort, tightness, or pressure in the chest
• constriction, heaviness, aching, tightness, or throbbing at the center or left side of the chest
• discomfort at the jaw, neck, back, arms, or upper stomach section
• Cold sweats
• Nausea and vomiting

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of STEMI is made by

• Blood tests
• Chest X-ray
• Coronary angiography
• Echocardiogram
• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Radionuclide imaging (thallium stress test)

Non-ST Segment Elevation myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI)

Because it causes less damage to the heart, an NSTEMI is a less serious heart attack than a STEMI. However, it also necessitates urgent medical attention.

Symptoms

The common symptoms of NSTEMI include

• Breathing difficulties
• Heaviness, discomfort, stiffness, or tension in the chest
• Neck, back, and jaw discomfort 
• Upset stomach
• Light-headedness and dizziness
• Increased perspiration 
• Nausea and vomiting

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of NSTEMI is made by

• Blood tests for creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB), troponin I, and troponin T
• ECG test

Coronary Artery spasm

A coronary artery spasm occurs when the artery wall contracts, restricting blood flow and perhaps resulting in chest pain or completely cutting off blood supply, resulting in a heart attack.

Symptoms

• Chest pain radiating to the head and shoulders
• Burning and tightness of the chest
• Increased perspiration 
• Nausea

Diagnosis

Angiograms, an imaging test used to look for artery blockages, may miss a coronary artery spasm because there might not be a build-up of plaque or a blood clot in the artery. For the diagnosis of coronary artery spasm, the three tests a doctor may conduct include;

• Coronary angiography
• Electrocardiogram
• Echocardiogram

The warning signs of Heart Attacks

• Chest pain
• Painful pressure, squeezing, fullness in chest
• Excessive sweating followed by flimsiness and dizziness.
• Back, neck, or jaw discomfort or pain.
• Discomfort in one or both shoulders and arms.
• Difficulty in breathing along with shortness of breath after or during chest pain.
• Extreme or unexpected fatigue, nausea, or vomiting.

It is important to remember that atherosclerosis, which blocks arteries due to fat or cholesterol build-up, has no symptoms. There may not be any symptoms because when a coronary artery narrows and restricts blood flow, neighboring blood arteries that supply the heart occasionally enlarge to make up for it.

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Risk factors of Heart Attack

Your risk of getting a cardiac attack can be increased by several medical issues, your lifestyle, your age, and your family history. High blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, exposure to second-hand smoke, obesity, a poor diet, and physical inactivity are the main risk factors for heart disease. Males and people above the age of 60 are at a higher risk of heart attacks.

 

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Treatment for Heart Attack

Following a heart attack, blood flow needs to be fixed immediately to increase oxygen levels and prevent further damage to heart muscles.

Medication for the treatment of Heart Attack

The following medicines could be used to treat a heart attack:

Aspirin

Blood clotting is reduced by aspirin. It aids in maintaining blood flow through a constricted artery. 

Clot removers (thrombolytics or fibrinolytics)

These medications aid in dissolving any blood clots obstructing the heart’s blood supply. Following a heart attack, the sooner thrombolytic medication is administered, the less the heart is harmed and the higher the likelihood of survival.

Nitroglycerin

This drug widens the blood vessels. As a result, it enhances the heart’s ability to receive blood. Unexpected chest discomfort is treated with nitroglycerin. It can be administered as an injection, a pill to swallow, or a pill under the tongue.

Morphine

Chest pain that is not successfully treated with nitroglycerin is treated with this medication.

Beta Blockers

These drugs lower blood pressure and slow the heartbeat. Beta-blockers can reduce the degree of heart muscle deterioration and stop more heart attacks. Most people who are suffering from a heart attack receive them.

ACE blockers

These medications lessen heart stress by lowering blood pressure.

Statins

These medications aid in reducing high cholesterol levels. Low-density lipoprotein, LDL, or bad cholesterol, when in excess, can clog arteries.

Surgical treatment for Heart Attack

Surgery or procedure to unblock a clogged artery may be performed if you’ve suffered a heart attack. The following surgeries and processes are used to treat a heart attack:

Angioplasty and stenting of the heart

The goal of this surgery is to clear blocked cardiac arteries. Another name for it is percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This technique is frequently carried out as part of a procedure to locate blockages (cardiac catheterization).

A heart specialist (cardiologist) directs a thin, flexible tube (catheter) to the constricted area of the heart artery during angioplasty. Then, a small balloon is inflated to help expand the narrowed artery and enhance blood flow.

During angioplasty, a tiny wire-mesh tube (stent) may be inserted into the artery. The artery is kept open by the stent. It lessens the possibility of the artery narrowing once more. In addition, some stents have a drug coating that keeps the arteries open.

Surgery to bypass the coronary arteries (CABG)

CABG is commonly known as Open-heart surgery. A surgeon pulls a healthy blood artery from another section of the body to construct a new pathway for blood in the heart. The blood then bypasses the blocked or constricted coronary artery. When a person is having a heart attack, CABG may be performed as an urgent procedure.

Ways to prevent Heart Attack

According to the most recent WHO statistics on the prevalence of heart attacks in Pakistan, 240,720 persons passed away in Pakistan in 2020 as a result of coronary heart disease, making up 16.49 percent of all fatalities. Considering this alarming rate, tough measures are required to prevent heart attacks. Some of the ways to prevent heart attacks include;

Consume a balanced, healthful diet; 

• Eating a low-fat, high-fiber diet rich in whole grains, five pieces a day of fresh fruit and vegetables, and other nutrients are advised. 
• The maximum weight of salt you should consume daily is 6g (0.2 oz), as eating more than that will raise your blood pressure.
• Saturated and unsaturated fats are two different types. Avoid saturated fats as they will raise the amount of harmful cholesterol in your blood.

Increase physical activity

• The greatest method to keep a healthy weight is to combine a nutritious diet with frequent exercise. In addition, your risk of acquiring high blood pressure is decreased by maintaining a healthy weight.
• Regular exercise will lower your cholesterol, improve the efficiency of your heart and blood circulation, and maintain a healthy blood pressure level.
• Regular exercise lowers your risk of suffering a heart attack. The heart is a muscle, and exercise is good for muscles. In addition, a healthy heart can circulate more blood throughout your body more efficiently.

Maintain a healthy weight

• A doctor or practice nurse can determine your optimum weight for your height and build. Alternatively, you can use our BMI calculator to get your body mass index (BMI).

Quit smoking

• Quitting smoking will lower your risk of heart attack if you currently smoke.
• A significant risk factor for atherosclerosis is smoking. The majority of coronary thrombosis cases in those under 50 are also brought on by smoking.

Reduce the blood pressure

• Increased blood pressure is a significant contributor to the risk of a heart attack.
• Get rid of your salt addiction, take your prescription medication as directed by your doctor, and start moving. 
• Less than 120/80 mmHg is the ideal blood pressure value.

Control diabetes

• At least 68% of patients with diabetes over 65 years old pass away from heart disease.
• The risk of cardiovascular disease for someone with diabetes can be significantly increased, which is why to prevent heart attack, it is important to control diabetes.
• Decrease sugar intake, be mindful of your eating habits, and include physical activity in your routine.

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How to ensure a speedy and sound recovery from a heart attack?

After a heart attack, the heart muscle quickly starts to repair. The healing process typically takes eight weeks.

In the damaged area, scar tissue may develop, which does not contract or pump blood. As a result, cardiac muscle injury may affect how efficiently the heart pumps blood throughout the body.

The condition of the heart is sensitive after a heart attack. The rhythm of your heart and its capacity to pump blood throughout your body may be impacted by this. Additionally, you could be in danger of having another heart attack or developing ailments like peripheral arterial disease, kidney problems, or a stroke. Most heart attack survivors have some form of coronary artery disease (CAD), which means they will need to adjust their lifestyles significantly and may need to take medication to avoid another heart attack.

Following a heart attack, you can lessen your risk of developing further health issues by doing the following actions:

Physical activity

Discuss your daily activities at work and your personal life with your healthcare staff. For example, your doctor could advise you to take a break from work, travel, or sexual activity after a heart attack.

Lifestyle changes

Along with taking prescribed medications, lifestyle changes like eating a healthier diet, exercising more, stopping smoking, and managing stress can help you live a healthier life. 

Cardiac rehabilitation 

To assist you in making these lifestyle changes, inquire about participating in a cardiac rehabilitation program with your medical team. Cardiac rehabilitation is a required course of treatment for anyone recovering from a heart attack, heart failure, or other heart condition requiring surgery or medical attention. A monitored regimen called cardiac rehab comprises physical activities coupled with lifestyle changes and counseling to develop stress relief methods and mental health improvement.

Conclusion 

Heart attack is one of the leading causes of death for both men and women. Although prevention is not always attainable, people can significantly lower their risk by enlightening themselves about the types, risks, symptoms, and preventions of heart attacks. In addition, if you have a family history of cardiac disorders, you must consider healthy lifestyle changes to prevent heart attacks.

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