A heart attack (myocardial infarction or MI) happens when blood supply to the heart is suddenly blocked. During an attack, the blood supply that normally nourishes the heart with oxygen is diminished and the heart muscles begin to die.
Common Symptoms of an Attack
An attack is a medical emergency. Some people who are having an attack experience warning signs, while others show no signs. Its called Silent Attack.
- Sudden onset of chest pain.
- Upper body pain.
- Sweating.
- Tiredness.
- Breathing difficulty.
If someone experiencing above symptoms, immediately seek the medical attention. First 10 minutes time is very important.
Generally the risk of an attack increases when a man over 45 and a woman over 55.
G.K: World Heart Day, September 29
WHAT CAUSES HEART ATTACK? / How does a heart attack happen?
Most Common reasons are explained Below.
• Age: Heart attacks are more likely to occur when a man is over 45 and a woman is over 55.
• Hypertension: High blood pressure can put a strain on the heart.
• Obesity: Overweight can put pressure on the heart.
• Smoking: Smokers are at high risk than non-smokers.
• High cholesterol levels: It may increase the chance of blood clots in the arteries.
• Diabetes: High blood sugar can increase attack risk.
• Diet: More fat foods can increase the chance of an attack.
• Genetics: A person can inherit the risk of an attack.
• Heart surgery: Heart surgery can later lead to a heart attack.
• Previous heart attack.
• HIV: People with HIV positive have a 50 % higher risk.
• Stress: Stressful job situations can face a heart attack risk.
• Physical Inactivity: Physical inactivity plays a major role in a heart attack.
PREVENTION OF HEART ATTACK
The best way to prevent an attack is to have a healthy lifestyle. By following below steps, you can reduce the modifiable risk factors for heart attack.
Measures of a healthy lifestyle include.
• Avoid smoking.
• Eating a well-balanced diet.
• Exercise regularly.
• Getting adequate quality of sleep.
• Maintain diabetes under control.
• Avoid alcohol consumption.
• Maintaining optimum cholesterol levels.
• Maintain blood pressure at a safe level.
• Maintain a healthy body weight.
• Avoid stressful situations.
• Stay physically active.
The quicker someone is treated or seeking medical help when having an attack increases the chance of success. Please remember that personal survival depends on how quickly they reach the hospital. Sometimes if a person who is having an attack will stop breathing. In this case please start CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) immediately.
CONCLUSION
There are many risk factors that are non-modifiable, but there are still some modifiable steps you can take to keep your heart healthy. Smoking plays a major role in an attack. Avoid smoking reduce your risk. Maintaining a healthy balanced diet, regular exercising, limiting the use of alcohol intake are the other ways to reduce your risk.
Written By TREESA SIJO. A medical professional, UAE
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