Myocardial infarction or heart attack, as it is popularly known, is one of the leading causes of death in the world. Heart diseases are prevalent among women and men, but they can affect children, too. According to medical surveys, one of the primary reasons for heart attacks is ventricular fibrillation of the heart. This condition can occur before the victim can even reach the medical emergency room.
There are procedures like Coronary Balloon Angioplasty and Coronary Angiogram which help in unclogging blocked arteries. Being aware of the risk factors like heredity, physical inactivity, high cholesterol, etc. will help in the early diagnosis. Also, early detection and treatment of heart problems can result in speedy recovery of the patient.
You must also be aware of the warning signs of heart attack as it can be helpful in educating others. Given below are some of the prevalent signs you must know about –
Pain or discomfort in the chest – Before the heart attack strikes, victims often complain about severe uneasiness or chest pain. The sensations of pressure, squeezing or tightness in the chest are also common signs. This discomfort can either be present for a few minutes or can disappear and then return after a few hours. This condition indicates that the heart isn’t receiving enough oxygen. If this symptom prevails, then do call a medical specialist immediately.
Difficulty in breathing – Heart pumping blood and breathing are quite closely related. When the heart pumps blood, the circulation process begins which reaches your tissues and also gets oxygen from the lungs. Before the attack, if the heart is incapable of pumping blood, then you can feel shortness of breath. Engaging in simple activities can become difficult, right before the heart attack, due to irregular breathing.
Spells of dizziness – Feeling lightheaded or dizzy is another common symptom of myocardial infarction. This happens if you are overexerting yourself. Some may also get the feeling of passing out if doing simple chores like standing up or walking. Such sensations are not normal and must not be ignored after experiencing them.
Palpitations – Changes in the heart’s rhythm, constant throbbing or pounding can be signs of an approaching attack. Both your body and heart are dependent on its steady beating as this means that blood is getting circulated normally. If the beating goes out of rhythm, then you might be having a heart attack. This can further cause the sensation of anxiety or unease in people. Medical intervention can be necessary if there is constant palpitation of the heart.
Fatigue and tiredness – A lesser known symptom of heart attack is fatigue. Many people complain of suffering from flu-like sensations which cause exhaustion. This is because, before the onset of an attack, your heart can feel stressed due to the added pressure of pumping blood into the blocked areas. Hence, you might end up feeling tired for no reason. According to research reports, shortness of breath and fatigue can be seen more in women than men.
Other critical signs of a myocardial infarction are vomiting, nausea and indigestion. You can also experience tightness and pain in upper abdomen, neck, back, jaw and shoulder. During such situations, calling the emergency services becomes mandatory in order to limit the heart attack from worsening even more.
If you experience any such discomfort get in touch with Apollo specialists like Dr. Arul D. Furtado and get expert advice to stay fit and healthy. Remember early detection can help prevent your heart problems.
