Heart Attack : Symptoms and Preventions

Image: Heart Attack 

Heart attack Or Myocarduim Infraction is leading causes of death globally. The World Health Organisation estimates that 7.3 million deaths globally were due to coronary heart disease in 2008. By 2030, almost 23.6 million people will die from cardiovascular disease every year .

Heart attack is a medical emergency and you have to call ( 911 for USA ) without wasting any second because « Time Is muscle ».

Myocardial infarction can be prevented by refraining from smoking and maintaining appropriate blood pressure levels and a favorable balance of lipids. Following a myocardial infarction, further drug treatment should include aspirin, thrombolytic therapy (in acute myocardial infarction), beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors (in patients with a low ejection fraction) and perhaps anticoagulants. It’s the only way to prevent Necrosis of the cardiac muscle.

What is Heart Attack 

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a term used for an event of a heart attack which is due to the formation of plaques in the interior walls of the arteries resulting in reduced blood flow to the heart and injuring heart muscles because of lack of oxygen supply. It can lead to Necrosis of the cardiac muscle caused by an obstruction of the blood supply to the heart

Heart Attack Symptoms 

Consider the following:

« angina pectoris or Chest pain » Prolonged crushing, squeezing, or burning pain in the center of the chest, pain that radiates from the chest area to the neck, arms, shoulders, or the jaw,

Shortness of breath,

Dizziness,

Nausea, vomiting,

Chills and sweating,

Weak pulse,

Cold and clammy skin, gray pallor, a severe appearance of illness.

Prevent heart attack 

 heart attack can be prevented by taking an earlier action to lower those risks by controlling :

1- High Blood Pressure 

is defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥90 mm Hg, The relationship of High blood pressure to subsequent development of Heart attack has been well established. Physicians wishing to help their patients prevent Heart attack must set up a lifetime program of surveillance of blood pressure level.

2- Diabetes  « DM » 

Defined by elevated glycemic markers, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), Normal fasting glucose is glucose <100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L), lifestyle management is a cornerstone of clinical care. physical activity and nutrition play an important role in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and CVD risk prevention, The next section of this update focuses on weight management through healthy life, medi, and surgical approaches in diabetes mellitus

3- Elevated cholesterol « Dyslipidemia » 

Studies suggested the key role of controlling dyslipidemia in the prevention of heart attack , There is general agreement that the development of cardiovascular disease as manifested by the occurrence of all the clinical manifestations of this disorder is related to elevation of serum lipids, especially serum cholesterol. Keeping daily dietary cholesterol intake within a reasonable range in a healthy eating pattern should be recommended. A dietary cholesterol intake level of 500 mg/day.

4- Cigarette Smoking 

Studies have provided evidence of the relationship between cigarette smoking and the various manifestations of heart disease. Although little relationship is noted between Chest pain and cigarette smoking. So you must stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke, too.

5- Physical Activity

Lifestyle intervention, targeting weight reduction through caloric restriction and increased physical activity, the Exercise programs utilizing swimming, jogging, bicycle riding, or other relatively high energy activities promise a certain degree of benefit in preventing the onset of myocardial infarction.

6- Hematologic abnormalities

Ischemia of the cardiac muscle may also result from hematologic abnormalities. Like anemia, it is associated with symptomatic disease. Prevention of myocardial ischemia can be accomplished by prompt medical intervention.

7- Pharmacologic considerations

The use of drugs to prevent myocardial infarction has not been widely considered. Treatment of Chest Pain with nitrites has produced gratifying results for many years.beta-adrenergic blocking agent-has been used recently for the treatment of Chest Pain .

The possible methods of preventing myocardial infarction have been discussed. The methods consist of the prevention of the underlying heart disease.

                                                    

                                                               

Written By Dr Zenasni O 
Medical Doctor 
Emergency Service