The term “suffering from a heart attack” is one of the most difficult terms for a patient to hear, as it is among the serious heart problems that in the past always ended in the patient’s death, but with medical progress and the presence of many modern devices to deal with the crisis, as well as the patient’s awareness of the symptoms and then going to the hospital immediately when feeling them, so we will tell you more about the heart attack, its symptoms, how the diagnosis is made, and other important information. 

What is a heart attack?

A heart attack occurs when a blood clot occurs within the coronary artery, which is the artery responsible for delivering blood to the heart muscle, which may lead to many serious health problems that sometimes lead to the stopping of the heart muscle or the destruction of the kidneys. Therefore, the patient must be fully aware of the symptoms that indicate he is having a heart attack, how to deal with it, and what are the tips that he must follow to prevent it, especially lifestyle changes. 

Symptoms of a heart attack

There are many important symptoms that you should pay attention to, which alert you to the signs of suffering from a heart attack, and among these symptoms are the following: 

• Feeling pain and congestion in the center of the chest, that is, in the middle, and it lasts for more than a few minutes. 
• Severe pain that spreads to the arm, shoulder, and back, and sometimes to the jaw and teeth. 
• Suffering from chest pain that increases over time.
• Feeling a state of continuous pain in the upper abdomen, in addition to shortness of breath. 
• Increase in sweating.
• Nausea and a feeling of wanting to vomit. 
• Experiencing a fainting spell.
• It should be noted that there are some different symptoms that may appear in women, as studies have proven that women have fewer symptoms of a heart attack, and among the symptoms they exhibit are the following: 
• Pain and burning in the upper abdomen.
• Increase in skin moisture.
• Feeling dizzy. 
• Unusual and unexplained fatigue and feeling exhausted. This symptom may appear days before a heart attack. 

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Causes of a heart attack

There are many causes that lead to a heart attack, which also means myocardial infarction, which leads to the death of tissues as a result of a lack of oxygen in addition to the lack of regular blood flow. Among the causes and factors of a heart attack are the following: 

• Narrowing of the arteries, which reduces blood flow to the heart. 
• Burst in one of the plaques, leading to the formation of a blood clot in the heart. 
• Complete blockage of a coronary artery (myocardial infarction). 
• Coronary artery spasm.
• Suffering from an immune disease such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Smoking tobacco and hookah. 
• Constant high blood pressure, resulting in damage to the arteries. 
• Increased blood cholesterol.
• Lack of physical activity, in addition to weight gain and the formation of large amounts of fat, especially in the abdomen.
• Having diabetes.
• Constant anxiety, stress, and lack of regular sleep. 
• Having a family history of heart attacks or suffering from high levels of homocysteine ​​and fibrinogen.

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Complications of a heart attack

Experiencing a heart attack results in many complications, especially in the absence of prompt medical intervention. Among these complications are the following: 

• Heart failure: This occurs as a result of damage to the heart muscle tissue and the inability to pump blood. This failure may be temporary or chronic. 
• Cardiac arrhythmia: A crisis may cause changes in the heart rhythm, leading to an imbalance in electrical signals. 
• Pericarditis: This condition is called Dressler's syndrome as a result of an incorrect response by the immune system.
• Cardiogenic shock: But this condition occurs rarely and results from the heart’s inability to pump blood for no apparent reason. 
• Cardiac arrest: This occurs as a result of a sudden change in heart signals, which may threaten life and lead to sudden death in the absence of immediate medical intervention.
• Damage to heart valves: If they are damaged, which poses a threat to life.
• Myocardial rupture: Part of the heart muscle may be torn as a result of suffering a heart attack, leading to a hole in the heart.

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Diagnosis of a heart attack 

After we have learned about the symptoms, causes, and complications of a heart attack, we must know how a heart attack can be diagnosed, which must be done immediately in order to protect against complications. Among the diagnostic methods used are: 

• Identify the symptoms that the patient suffers from and take his medical history.
• Measuring blood pressure, pulse, and temperature and connecting it to the heart device in order to perform a comprehensive electrocardiogram. 
• Conducting some important tests, including a chest X-ray to determine the size and shape of the heart.
• Conduct a nuclear scan to identify blood flow obstructions and map the locations of flow problems. 
• Conducting an echocardiogram using sound waves in order to produce a comprehensive diagram of the heart’s working mechanism.
• Catheterization is used in case of blockage or narrowing of the arteries.
• We at Al Mousa Hospital possess the latest and most accurate devices used to diagnose heart attacks and crises, and they are treated immediately by a team of specialized doctors.

How to prevent a heart attack 

There are some medical measures and procedures that are taken to prevent heart attacks, especially if the patient has a history of heart attacks or risk factors. Among the prevention methods that are taken to protect against a heart attack are the following: 

• Taking some medications, such as blood thinners, for people who have had a stroke or are at high risk of having a heart attack. 
• Modifying lifestyle, as an unhealthy lifestyle and eating foods that contain a lot of fat increase the risk of clogged arteries.
• Exercising daily, especially walking and swimming.
• Stop smoking, drinking alcohol, and other negative habits.
• Maintain a healthy weight and eat moderately.
• Maintaining blood pressure at normal levels, in addition to performing periodic medical examinations. 
• Stay away from constant pressure and psychological tension.

Frequently asked questions

What do you do when a heart attack occurs?

When you feel symptoms of a heart attack, you must call the emergency number in your country and call an ambulance in order to transport you to the nearest hospital. Take aspirin, as it protects against blood clots and reduces the symptoms of a heart attack. You must use an external defibrillator if it is available. However, if you see someone suffering from a stroke and the pulse stops, you must perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation if you are trained to do so. 

How long does a heart attack last?

Symptoms of a severe heart attack usually last between 15 to 20 minutes, and may be longer in some cases, as the duration of the attack varies according to many factors, including the severity, whether it was sudden, or whether the symptoms began slowly and came back and disappeared. However, the symptoms must not be ignored and the doctor should be asked immediately.

What is the difference between a heart attack and a cardiac arrest?

There is a difference between a heart attack and a heart attack, as follows: 

• A heart attack occurs if there is a blockage in the blood vessel that supplies blood to the heart tissue, resulting in a lack of oxygen and the death of heart cells. 
• Cardiac arrest in which the heart suddenly stops pumping blood and oxygen to the brain and other organs.
• A heart attack can cause a cardiac arrest, not the other way around.
• Cardiac arrest may often be caused by causes not related to the heart, such as suffocation, drowning, or a severe, untreated lung infection.

Is it possible to survive a heart attack?

Yes, it is possible to survive a heart attack in many cases, especially if it is treated immediately. Therefore, it is necessary to recognize the symptoms that warn of a heart attack, and if you are among the groups at higher risk for heart attacks, you should modify your behavioral lifestyle, be careful to take blood pressure and diabetes medications on time, and consult a doctor immediately if any of the symptoms that indicate the presence of a heart attack appear. 

Suffering from a heart attack is a very important and life-threatening matter if treatment is not done immediately, but with medical progress and the application of strategies to prevent heart attacks, the incidence rate decreases in addition to improving therapeutic results. Therefore, we, through Al Mousa Health Hospital, have the best team of doctors specialized in providing optimal care for heart diseases in general.

Sources and references 

Heart Attack – clevelandclinic

Heart attack – nhs