NCS Videos

Heart Attack
About:

Ablockage of blood flow to the heart muscle.

Very common

More than 10 million cases per year (India)

Requires a medical diagnosis

Lab tests or imaging often required

Treatable by a medical professional

Short-term: resolves within days to weeks

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	Very rare
3-5	Very rare
6-13	Very rare
14-18	Very rare
19-40	Rare
41-60	Common
60+	Very common

Symptoms:

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

Defibrillation

Using an electrical shock to correct a rapid, irregular heartbeat and restore the heart's normal rhythm.

Oxygen therapy

Providing extra oxygen to the lungs of people with breathing problems.

Medications

Blood Thinners

Helps prevent blood clots from forming or helps dissolve existing clots.

Heart Medication

Helps reduce chest pain or pressure caused by blockages in the arteries of the heart.

Narcotic

Relieves pain, dulls the senses and causes drowsiness. May become addictive.

Beta blocker

Slows heart rate and decreases blood pressure. When taken in eye-drop form, it reduces eye pressure.

Statin

Decreases the liver's production of harmful cholesterol.

ACE inhibitor

Relaxes blood vessels, lowers blood pressure and prevents diabetes-related kidney damage.

Medical procedure

Coronary stent

A tube placed in the arteries of the heart to keep them open.

Coronary angioplasty

Unblocking an artery by inflating a balloon inside it. A stent may also be inserted to hold the artery open.

Therapies

Cardiac rehabilitation

A supervised programme that includes exercise, lifestyle changes, education and emotional support for people with heart problems.

Surgery

Coronary artery bypass surgery

Surgery that restores blood flow to the heart by using a healthy artery or vein to bypass a blocked artery.

Specialists

Cardiologist

Specialises in heart disorders.

Cardiac Surgeon

Performs surgery on the heart or great vessels.

Primary Care Provider (PCP)

Prevents, diagnoses and treats diseases.

Emergency Medicine Doctor

Treats patients in the emergency department

KVery common

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