As we age, our body also undergoes certain changes, which slowly starts affecting our health This only occurs when we continuously neglect our health for a long time. We all are aware that the human heart is one of the most vital organs in our body, as it is responsible for circulating oxygen-rich blood throughout our body, which assists in our body’s daily functions. Neglecting our health over the years can have serious implications on the heart, which may lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Causes Of A Heart Attack
A heart attack is also referred to as a myocardial infarction, which usually occurs when there are more than one coronary arteries that are blocked. A coronary artery can get narrowed due to multiple reasons which can be due to a build-up of substances such as cholesterol (plaque build-up), which is known to be a coronary artery disease and is known to cause the most heart attacks & heartburn.
Here are some of the main reasons, which may cause a heart attack to occur
- Smoking regularly
- Consuming alcohol on a regular basis
- Eating unbalanced meals with high sodium levels
- Irregular intake of diabetic or cholesterol medicines
Symptoms And Warning Signs Of A Heart Attack
Since we all do not come from the same DNA, signs, and symptoms reflect on how our body reacts to changes internally and externally too. This indicates that not everyone who is vulnerable to a heart attack will have the same symptoms and experience the same amount of severity in pain too.
Did you know that the symptoms of a heart attack vary between men and women?
Here are a few symptoms, which you may experience due to a heart attack:
- Pressure, pain, and tightness in the chest
- An aching sensation in the chest or the arms, which slowly spreads to the jaw, neck and the back
- Shortness of breath.
- Mitral Valve Repair
- Nausea, heartburn, indigestion or abdominal pain
- Fatigue
- Cold sweat
- Light-headedness or dizziness
Many people have different symptoms before they experience a heart attack, but being aware of a few warning signs ahead of time can help in determining whether you might be vulnerable to a heart attack.
Tests And Treatments For A Heart Attack
There are many tests and treatments, which analyze and monitor your heart’s health and current health condition.
- Angioplasty– It is a procedure, which is done to open up a blocked artery by utilizing a balloon or by removing the plaque build-up in the arteries
- Stent – It is a wire mesh tube, which is inserted into the artery which helps it stay open after the angioplasty procedure
- Coronary Artery Bypass Graft – This procedure is done by the cardiothoracic surgeon, who reroutes the blood around the blockage
- Heart Valve Surgery– This surgery is done to replace heart valves, which are leaking, in order to help the heart pump in the right manner
- Pacemaker – It is a device, which is implanted underneath the skin to help maintain the heart’s normal rhythm
- Heart transplant – It is conducted only in most crucial cases where a heart attack has caused permanent damage to the heart’s tissue.
Prevention Is Key
Though there may be many risk factors that might be out of your control, there are many ways through which, you can keep your heart healthy and strong.
Here are a few things, which you can avoid in order to prevent future heart attacks:
- Avoid smoking
- Maintain a healthy diet
- Limit your alcohol intake
- Check your blood pressure levels often if you are a diabetic
- Monitor your weight
- Go for annual health checks
Minutes Matter
If you or someone you know might have been experiencing these symptoms, then it is best to consult a heart specialist as they can help you assess the situation in the right manner to avoid any unnecessary health concerns or situations. It is better to control the situation now than in being late. Making a few changes in your lifestyle and opting for healthy daily habits can help you secure your overall health and avoid any possibility of heart attacks occurring in the future.
