A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, occurs when the blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked for a long enough time that part of the heart muscle is damaged or dies. This blockage is typically caused by a buildup of fat, cholesterol, and other substances, which form a plaque in the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart. A heart attack is a medical emergency and requires immediate attention to minimize damage to the heart and improve the chances of survival.
Symptoms of a Heart Attack:
Chest Pain or Discomfort: Often described as pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.
Upper Body Pain: Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
Shortness of Breath: Can occur with or without chest discomfort.
Other Symptoms: Cold sweat, nausea, lightheadedness, and fatigue.
Causes and Risk Factors:
Atherosclerosis: Buildup of plaques in the coronary arteries.
Risk Factors: Smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and family history of heart disease.
Diagnosis and Treatment:
Diagnosis: Includes physical examination, electrocardiogram (ECG), blood tests (e.g., troponins), and imaging tests such as echocardiograms or angiograms.
Immediate Treatment: Aspirin to prevent further clotting, nitroglycerin to reduce heart strain, and oxygen therapy. Thrombolytics ("clot-busting" drugs) or emergency angioplasty may be needed to restore blood flow.
Ongoing Treatment: Lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, quitting smoking), medications (beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, statins), and potentially surgical procedures like angioplasty or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).