A heart attack happens when the supply of oxygen to the heart is restricted. The blockage is usually a build up of fatty, cholesterol and other materials, that form a hard plaque in the coronary arteries. At times, this blockage can rupture and forms a clot, which completely blocks the flow of blood. If the artery or the clot stays in place, it can cause a stroke, resulting in permanent tissue damage and death. A heart attack is the third leading cause of death in America.
There are many causes of heart attack, but there are also several symptoms that heart attack patients experience. To diagnose coronary artery disease, certain tests are performed that include blood tests and electrocardiograms. If a patient experiences a milder version of these symptoms, called angina pectoris, then he or she probably has milder coronary artery disease, or angina.
Symptoms of a heart attack include, shortness of breath, palpitations, weakness or dizziness, irregular heartbeat, chest discomfort or pain, nausea or vomiting, fatigue or dizziness, choking feeling, sweating or chills, sweating or cold sweats, shortness of breath. In some cases, people may have no symptoms at all. When any of these symptoms occur, you should call 911 immediately. A more severe symptom is the presence of blood in your urine.
The risk factors for having a heart attack are your age, gender, race, family history of heart problems, obesity, smoking, high blood pressure and diabetes. Obesity increases your risk factors for having a heart attack, because the fats accumulate in your body. The fats accumulate around your body, resulting in weight gain. Overweight people have difficult times losing weight. Smoking increases your risks for a heart attack because it decreases the blood flow through your arteries.
There is also the risk factor of cardiac arrest during an attack. Cardiac arrest is a condition where the heartbeat stops. The person suddenly stops their breathing. The person will then lose consciousness and start to bleed heavily. A person who is having a heart attack is more likely to suffer a cardiac arrest than someone who is just normal.
There are several symptoms that could indicate the sign may be of a heart attack. One symptom is a pain in your chest. Another sign may be a pain in the neck, jaw or arms. You can also have back pain, dizziness, pain or tingling in your hands, legs or feet.
There is another sign that could indicate the symptoms of an attack is congestive heart failure. This condition occurs when there is too much fluid in the heart. This results in decreased blood pressure. It causes a feeling of being like you are full. There is a general feeling of discomfort in your chest area after having a heart attack. It is often called heartburn.
If you feel that you have experienced a heart attack, the key thing is to stop the attack before it gets too out of control. First of all, relax. Get in some good physical activity. Exercise will help you to get rid of some of the stress in your body. It will also help you control your blood pressure so that you do not have the possibility of having a heart attack.
Another possible cause of the attack is a buildup of fatty deposits in the coronary arteries. The build up of fatty deposits can occur because of a variety of reasons including your diet and lifestyle. Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are the most common causes of this problem. If you have had a family history of coronary artery disease, then you are more likely to develop this problem as well.
If you have experienced any of these symptoms, you should go to an emergency room right away. Your heart attack could be a sign of a severe heart disease. Make sure that you are able to tell your doctor about all of your symptoms. Emergency rooms are well stocked with the latest medical equipment and diagnostic machines. Sometimes, doctors will perform a blood test to look for high levels of calcium in the blood.
Although there are medications available to treat these symptoms, the best way to prevent heart attacks from happening is to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle. Eat foods that are rich in vitamins, such as fruits and vegetables. Try to avoid eating fast food and other foods that have too much fat and cholesterol. Exercise regularly, as this helps keep your heart muscles strong. Take your EKG on a regular basis and if you start having any of the above symptoms, you should call your doctor immediately. You might need to undergo a procedure called angioplasty or coronary artery bypass.