It seems a regular thing these days - men dropping down and dying from heart attacks! The men are usually relatively young and apparently healthy. So, what is a heart attack and what are the signs of this condition also called myocardial infarction or an MI? What can we do to prevent this catastrophe?
What is a heart attack?
The heart is responsible for pumping blood through-out the body. It beats about 70 times every minute. The heart is kept beating by blood it receives through the coronary arteries. Men and women with coronary-artery disease get a build-up of fatty substances called plaques in their arteries. This fatty build-up of plaques leads to the formation of clots in the coronary arteries. If a blood clot in the coronary arteries completely blocks an artery, cutting off most or all the blood supply to the heart muscle, then the person experiences a heart attack.
Who is likely to suffer a heart attack?
When a man has diabetes, hypertension or high cholesterol levels, he is at great risk of having a heart attack. A man's chances of having a heart attack increases when he has more than one of these diseases. It is therefore important for people to ensure that their blood glucose, blood pressure and blood cholesterol are controlled at optimal levels.
Signs of a heart attack
People suffering from coronary-artery disease often complain of chest pain. This pain lasts for several minutes and is experienced as an uncomfortable pressure or squeezing in the centre of the chest. The chest discomfort may spread to the neck, shoulders, one or both arms, or the jaw. Sometimes the pain is felt in the back, between the shoulder blades. People suffering a heart attack may become light-headed, faint or sweaty.
What should you do
Anyone with severe chest pain, who thinks he may be having a heart attack, should seek medical attention immediately at a hospital. If he is not allergic to aspirin, he should chew an aspirin (160 mg or 325mg). If he has been prescribed sublingual nitroglycerins, this may be taken. But do not delay, go to the nearest hospital.
Treatment of a heart attack
Men who are having a heart attack will receive medication to relieve the discomfort and dissolve the clots. These drugs include oxygen, aspirin, nitroglycerin, heparin and fibrinolytic ('clot-buster') therapy. Time is critical to prevent death or excessive damage of the heart muscle. Ideally, fibrinolytic treatment should be given within 12 hours of the start of the pain.
Preventing a heart attack!
All of us will eventually die when our hearts stop beating. But we can prevent death by a heart attack. This is done by properly managing blood glucose, blood pressure and blood cholesterol. Eating less fatty foods and more fresh fruits, vegetables and plant protein promotes a healthy heart. Exercising to keep the heart muscle healthy is also vital. All of us must also learn to manage our daily stress in order to prevent this major health hazard!
Dr Pauline Williams-Green is a family physician and president of the Caribbean College of Family Physicians; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.