What Is a Heart Attack?

A heart attack occurs when the flow of blood to the heart is strictly reduced or blocked so it can’t get
the oxygen it needs. If there’s not enough oxygen-rich blood flowing to the heart, it can cause damage
to the affected area. This kind of blockage is usually due to a buildup of fat, cholesterol, and other
substances in the heart or coronary arteries.

Heart attacks are also known as myocardial infarctions. It is a life-threatening medical emergency and
prompt treatment is needed to prevent death.

Heart Attack Symptoms

The symptoms of a heart attack are very subjective and vary for different people. Some people show
mild symptoms while others show severe symptoms, and some people show no symptoms at all.
 General heart attack symptoms usually include:
 Chest pain or any kind of discomfort
 Pain that spreads to your arm, shoulder, or neck
 Shortness of breath
 Cold Sweating
 Dizziness or sudden lightheadedness
 Fatigue
 Nausea
 Indigestion or heartburn

Some heart attacks strike all of a sudden. But many people have symptoms and warning signs hours,
days, or sometimes weeks in advance. These symptoms differ from person to person and mostly vary
between women and men.
Following are the noted heart attack symptoms in women:
 Extreme or unusual fatigue
 Vomiting or nausea
 Brief or sharp pain in the neck, shoulder, upper back, or jaw
 Shortness of breath
 Lightheadedness or dizziness

Early Signs of a Heart Attack

It is certain that many of us have experienced that moment, maybe while working out at the gym or
driving in traffic when we felt a twinge in our chest, or an aggressive pulse. Or maybe we just don’t feel
that something is right. The reality is that people can take notice of subtle heart attack symptoms much
before it actually occurs.
Below listed are the atypical signs a person may have:
 Any sort of heaviness or discomfort
 Radiating chest pain
 Heart palpitations
 A general sense of uneasiness
 Any type of vague discomfort
 Abdominal pain
 Declining stamina

It is important not to ignore these early signs or wait for them to become severe. If you have any
concerns, you should consult an cardiologist, learn about the signs of heart attack, and even though you’re
not sure, have it checked out.

Causes of Heart Attack

The foremost cause of heart attacks is coronary heart disease. Coronary artery disease is the reason
behind most heart attacks because one or more of the heart or coronary arteries get blocked in this
condition. This is mostly due to cholesterol-containing deposits also called plaques. Plaques can build up
in the arteries and narrow them, thereby reducing the flow of blood to the heart.
There are two main types of heart attack:
 An acute or complete blockage of the heart or arteries
 A partial blockage of the heart or arteries
However, not all heart attacks are caused due to blocked arteries. Some other causes include:
 Blood vessel spasms
 Torn blood vessels
 Misuse of drugs
 Lack of oxygen in the blood or hypoxia

Prevention

It’s never too late to take preventive measures to reduce the risk of heart attack. Here are some basic
ways to keep your heart healthy:
 Follow a healthy lifestyle by maintaining a healthy weight with a heart-healthy diet.
 Quit smoking for good.

 Try and get regular exercises done and manage stress to the best of your ability.
 Try and manage other health conditions as well, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
Anything that can increase the risk of heart attacks.
 Go for regular checkups and take medications as directed.
 It is also good to learn CPR so you can help someone who’s having a heart attack.

The best way to overcome the risk factors involved in a heart attack is to consult an cardiologist or visit nearby multispecialty Hospital about what you can do to lower the risks that cause it.