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What is a Heart Attack (also called a Myocardial
Infarction or MI)?
When an artery that supplies blood flow to the heart itself (a
coronary artery) becomes completely blocked, the blockage prevents oxygen-rich
blood from reaching part of the heart muscle. Blockages can be caused by a blood
clot, the development of plaque (fatty deposits within the lining of the heart
arteries), or by spasm (squeezing) of a coronary artery.
When an area of the heart doesn't receive enough blood and oxygen, that area of
heart muscle may become permanently damaged. This damage is called a heart
attack or myocardial infarction (MI). If you are having a heart attack, the
faster you get to a hospital for treatment, the less damage to your heart. If
you wait too long, the condition can be fatal.
In the event of a heart attack, time is heart muscle - every second counts.
More than one million Americans have a heart attack every year. Better treatment
options and community awareness have lowered heart attack death rates over the
years. Yet, many people are still unaware of some of the warning signs for heart
attack.
What are the warning signs and symptoms of a heart
attack?
- Pressure, tightness, squeezing, fullness, pain or
burning in the chest
- Indigestion, abdominal fullness, "gas," heartburn,
nausea and vomiting
- Numbness, tingling or aching in any part of the arm
- Discomfort in the shoulder, neck or jaw area
- Full feeling or pain in the throat
- Shortness of breath and dizziness
- Upper back pain
- Fatigue and weakness
- Sweating
- Feeling of impending doom
Do not ignore the warning signs of a heart attack. If you or someone you
know is experiencing any of the above symptoms, immediately call 9-1-1.
It is important to be aware that women's symptoms of heart attack can be
different than men's. While chest pain or discomfort is often a key warning sign
of a heart attack, some women who have a heart attack do not experience chest
pain or discomfort. More often, a woman's pain or discomfort may be in the back,
arm, neck, shoulder, and/or throat.
Also, women typically have more "non-pain" symptoms than men. These "non-pain"
symptoms include vomiting, nausea, fatigue and shortness of breath.
It is also surprisingly common for people to experience no symptoms at all. This
is especially true of diabetics and those over the age of 75. We recommend that
these individuals visit their family physician and/or cardiologist on a regular
basis to continually monitor their health.
If I’m having symptoms of a heart attack, what
should I do?
If you or someone you know are experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, call
9-1-1 immediately. Get ambulance transport to the nearest hospital. Do not drive
yourself or someone else who may be having a heart attack. Chew one regular
strength (preferably non-coated) aspirin or 4 baby aspirin. The aspirin works to
thin the blood, allowing more oxygen-rich blood to get through the narrowed
artery to your heart. Aspirin has proven to reduce fatality by about 25% in
heart attack victims.
How is a heart attack diagnosed?
A heart attack is diagnosed in several ways, but most often your doctor will
order a simple test called an
electrocardiogram (EKG).
An EKG monitors the electrical activity within the heart and can help to
determine if you are having a heart attack. Your doctor may also order blood
tests that can help to determine if your heart muscle has been damaged.
Tests your doctor may order to evaluate a possible heart attack:
If your diagnosis is a heart attack, your doctor will promptly begin
treatment to open the blockage, and get much needed oxygen-rich blood to your
heart muscle.
How is a heart attack treated?
There are a variety of procedures that can improve blood flow to the heart
muscle. These procedures include:
What types of medications are used for heart attacks?
There are several medications your doctor can prescribe if you are having (or
have had) a heart attack. Here are some possibilities:
- Anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as aspirin
- Nitroglycerin (dilates the blood vessels to increase blood flow)
- Beta blockers (help regulate the heart beat, lower the heart’s need for
oxygen, lower blood pressure, and prevent heart attack and heart failure)
- ACE Inhibitors, (dilate blood vessels to increase blood flow, guard
against arteriosclerosis (plaque in the arteries), help strengthen the heart
muscle, and lower blood pressure)
- Calcium channel blockers (relax blood vessels and increase the supply of
blood and oxygen to the heart; reduce the heart’s workload)
- Statins (lower cholesterol and decrease inflammation)
- Fish oil supplements (decrease inflammation)
How can I prevent a heart attack?
If you have been diagnosed with a heart attack (or coronary artery disease),
it is extremely important to make lifestyle changes that reduce your
heart disease risk factors. Making such
changes can maintain, and in some cases, reverse the damage done to your heart.
For more information about prevention of cardiovascular disease, visit our
Prevention section.
Changing your lifestyle to reduce your risk factors is one of the most important
steps you can take to improve your overall heart health.
6/16/2008 |
