Written by Nahir Abdel Nabi
Thursday, June 15, 2023 07:00 AM
A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is severely reduced or blocked. The blockage is often caused by the buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances in the arteries of the heart. These fatty deposits containing cholesterol are called plaques. The process of plaque buildup is called atherosclerosis.
And according to HELTHY, the plaque can sometimes rupture and form a clot that blocks blood flow. The lack of blood flow damages part or all of the heart muscle. A heart attack is also called a myocardial infarction. Immediate treatment is required for a heart attack to avoid death. Symptoms vary heart attack Some people have mild symptoms, others develop severe symptoms, and some people do not develop any symptoms.
Common heart attack symptoms include:
Chest pain that resembles a feeling of pressure, heaviness, tightness, squeezing pain, or aching
Pain or discomfort that radiates to the shoulder, arm, back, neck, jaw, or teeth, and sometimes to the upper abdomen
Cold sweat
– exhaustion
Heartburn or indigestion
– Sudden feeling dizzy or dizzy
– Nausea
-shortness of breath
Women may feel atypical symptoms such as mild or severe pain in the neck, arm or back. Sometimes sudden cardiac arrest is the first symptom of a heart attack.
Coronary artery disease causes most heart attacks. In coronary artery disease, there is a blockage in one or more of the heart’s arteries (coronary artery). This is usually caused by deposits containing cholesterol, called plaques. Plaques can narrow the arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart. the heart.
If one of these plaques ruptures, it can cause a blood clot in the heart and a heart attack may be caused by a complete or partial blockage of a heart artery (coronary artery).
Risk factors for a heart attack include:
Age. Men 45 and older and women 55 and older are more likely to have a heart attack than younger men and women.
Tobacco use This includes smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke for a long time. If you smoke, quit smoking.
High blood pressure Over time, high blood pressure can damage the arteries leading to the heart. This is in addition to the fact that high blood pressure associated with other conditions, such as obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes, increases this risk even more.
High levels of cholesterol or triglycerides A high level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (or “bad”) cholesterol is more likely to narrow your arteries. A high level of a certain blood fat called triglycerides also increases your risk of heart attack. The risk of a heart attack may be reduced if levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol – the “good” cholesterol – are in the standard range.
Obesity Obesity is associated with high blood pressure, diabetes, high levels of triglycerides and harmful cholesterol, and low levels of good cholesterol.
Diabetes: High blood sugar occurs when the body does not produce or use a hormone called insulin properly. This increases the risk of a heart attack.
Metabolic syndrome is a combination of at least three of the following: increased waist circumference (central obesity), high blood pressure, low HDL cholesterol, high triglyceride levels, and high blood sugar. Having metabolic syndrome doubles your risk of heart disease compared to not having it.
Family history of heart attacks If your brother, sister, parent, grandfather or grandmother had an early heart attack (at age 55 for males and 65 for females), you may be at increased risk.
Not getting enough exercise Lack of physical activity (inactive lifestyle) is associated with an increased risk of heart attacks. Regular exercise improves heart health.
Unhealthy diet A diet high in sugars, animal fats, processed foods, trans fats and salt increases the chances of a heart attack. So eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, fiber and healthy oils.
Stress Emotional stress, such as intense anger, may increase the chances of a heart attack.
Pre-eclampsia (pre-eclampsia) This condition leads to high blood pressure during pregnancy. It increases the lifetime risk and the risk of heart disease.
Having an autoimmune condition: Having conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus can increase your risk of a heart attack.
To prevent a heart attack, the following is recommended
Adopt a healthy lifestyle, quit smoking and maintain a healthy weight with a heart-healthy diet. Get regular exercise, and control your stress level.
Controlling other medical conditions Some medical conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, may increase the risk of heart attacks. Ask the doctor about the frequency of periodic examinations required.
Take medications as directed. Your doctor may prescribe medications to protect and improve the health of your heart.
It’s also a good idea to learn how to properly perform CPR so you can help someone having a heart attack. Consider attending an accredited first aid course, such as CPR courses and how to use an automatic external defibrillator.
2023-06-15 04:00:00
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