What is a heart attack? Heart attack life or death, these words come to every mind, whether a patient or relatives, same every time chest pain diverts our mind towards emergency, yes! It is an emergency, but why? No doubt, it is a pathology related to your heart, which pumps blood to each organ of your body. When the heart is unable to perform its function, the body’s system fails.
There are certain ways to differentiate heart attack pain or something else. Let’s first understand what a heart attack is.
What is a heart attack?
A heart attack is a condition in which blood flow to the heart is partially or completely blocked. The blockage is usually due to cholesterol, fat, or other substances in the arteries.
A heart attack occurs due to the blockage of the coronary arteries, which supply oxygen and blood to the heart muscles, resulting in muscle injury and eventually muscle death.
Why do heart attacks occur?
A heart attack occurs when fatty, cholesterol-containing deposits build up over time, forming plaques in the heart’s arteries. If a plaque ruptures, a blood clot can form. The clot can block arteries, causing a heart attack.
Buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) — Over time, cholesterol and other substances form plaques on the artery walls.
Plaque rupture — Sometimes, these plaques rupture.
Blood clot formation — When a plaque breaks, a blood clot forms and blocks the blood flow completely.
Risk factors for plaque formation
High LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol): Promotes fat buildup inside arteries.
Low HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol): Less protection against plaque.
High blood pressure (hypertension): Damages artery walls, making it easier for cholesterol to enter.
Smoking directly injures the blood vessel lining.
Diabetes (high blood sugar) accelerates damage to arteries.
Obesity (especially belly fat) is often linked with high cholesterol, high BP, and diabetes.
An unhealthy diet (high in saturated fats, trans fats, and refined sugars) raises bad cholesterol and promotes inflammation.
Symptoms of a heart attack
Central or left side chest pain (squeezing, heavy, feels like pressure)
Pain in the arm, jaw, back, and neck.
Cold sweating
Nausea/vomiting
Breathing trouble
Fatigue
Sometimes pain is masked in the form of heartburn or indigestion, especially in diabetic patients.
What to do during a heart attack?
A heart attack is an emergency where every fraction of a second counts; immediate action is required.
Call for help
- Call 911 or the local emergency number; never ignore symptoms of a heart attack, and get emergency vehicles if unable to arrive, have someone take you to a nearby hospital. Don’t drive unless and until no other options.
Take Aspirin, if recommended.
- Aspirin helps prevent blood clotting. Taking aspirin during a heart attack may reduce heart damage. Take an aspirin only if a healthcare professional says to do so. Don’t delay calling 911 to take an aspirin.
Sit down and stay calm.
- Sit in a comfortable position with your head supported, loosen tight clothes.
Don’t drink or eat
- There is a chance of vomiting, so avoid eating and creating a panic situation.
Don’t leave the patient.
- Don’t leave the patient alone, as at any time, cardiac arrest can occur, and patients may require CPR.
CPR
- If the patient is collapsed, i.e, unresponsive (not waking up even if you shake or shout) with abnormal breathing patterns, gasping, or not breathing, immediately start CPR.
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If someone is untrained in CPR, do hand-only CPR that is hard and fast on the patient’s chest 100-120 times in a minute.
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If trained in CPR, start with 30 chest compressions before administering 2 rescue breaths (each lasting 1 second).
Don’ts
- Don’t leave the patient alone.
- Don’t ignore symptoms of a heart attack.
- Don’t drink or eat anything other than medication.
- Don’t delay in having/asking healthcare practitioners about Aspirin.
This article is only for awareness; do not take any self-medication. If a situation occurs, contact a healthcare practitioner as soon as possible.