Heart Attack
About:
About:
Ablockage of blood flow to the heart muscle.
Very common
More than 10 million cases per year (India)
A heart attack is a medical emergency. A heart attack usually occurs when a blood clot blocks blood flow to the heart. Without blood, tissue loses oxygen and dies.
Symptoms include tightness or pain in the chest, neck, back or arms, as well as fatigue, lightheadedness, abnormal heartbeat and anxiety. Women are more likely to have atypical symptoms than men.
Treatment ranges from lifestyle changes and cardiac rehabilitation to medication, stents and bypass surgery.
Ages affected
| 0-2 |
|
| 3-5 |
|
| 6-13 |
|
| 14-18 |
|
| 19-40 |
|
| 41-60 |
|
| 60+ |
|
Requires a medical diagnosis
Symptoms include tightness or pain in the chest, neck, back or arms, as well as fatigue, lightheadedness, abnormal heartbeat and anxiety. Women are more likely to have atypical symptoms than men.
People may experience:
Pain areas: in the area between shoulder blades, arm, chest, jaw, left arm, or upper abdomen
Pain circumstances: can occur during rest
Pain types: can be like a clenched fist in the chest
Whole body: dizziness, fatigue, light-headedness, clammy skin, cold sweat, or sweating
Gastrointestinal: heartburn, indigestion, nausea, or vomiting
Neck: discomfort or tightness
Arm: discomfort or tightness
Chest: discomfort or tightness
Also common: anxiety, feeling of impending doom, palpitations, shortness of breath, or shoulder discomfort
Treatments:
Treatment depends on severity
Treatment ranges from lifestyle changes and cardiac rehabilitation to medication, stents and bypass surgery.
Supportive care
Using an electrical shock to correct a rapid, irregular heartbeat and restore the heart's normal rhythm.
Providing extra oxygen to the lungs of people with breathing problems.
Medications
Helps prevent blood clots from forming or helps dissolve existing clots.
Helps reduce chest pain or pressure caused by blockages in the arteries of the heart.
Relieves pain, dulls the senses and causes drowsiness. May become addictive.
Slows heart rate and decreases blood pressure. When taken in eye-drop form, it reduces eye pressure.
Decreases the liver's production of harmful cholesterol.
Relaxes blood vessels, lowers blood pressure and prevents diabetes-related kidney damage.
Medical procedure
A tube placed in the arteries of the heart to keep them open.
Unblocking an artery by inflating a balloon inside it. A stent may also be inserted to hold the artery open.
Therapies
A supervised programme that includes exercise, lifestyle changes, education and emotional support for people with heart problems.
Surgery
Surgery that restores blood flow to the heart by using a healthy artery or vein to bypass a blocked artery.
Specialists
Specialises in heart disorders.
Performs surgery on the heart or great vessels.
Prevents, diagnoses and treats diseases.
Treats patients in the emergency department
