Heart attack

What is a Heart Attack?
A heart attack (myocardial infarction) occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, usually by a blood clot.

"Time is Muscle": Every minute the artery remains blocked, more heart tissue dies. Immediate treatment is critical to survival.

⚠️ MEDICAL EMERGENCY
If you suspect a heart attack, call 911 (or local emergency services) immediately.

Do not drive yourself to the hospital unless there are absolutely no other options. Paramedics can start life-saving treatment on the way.

Symptoms

Not everyone clutches their chest and collapses like in the movies. Symptoms vary:

Classic Symptoms (Common in Men)

• Chest Pain: Pressure, tightness, or a squeezing sensation (like an elephant sitting on your chest).
• Radiating Pain: Pain spreading to the left arm, shoulder, or neck.
• Shortness of breath.
• Cold sweat.

Symptoms in Women (Often Missed)

Women are more likely to experience "atypical" symptoms, which can lead to delayed diagnosis:

• Nausea, indigestion, or vomiting.
• Pain in the jaw, back, or upper abdomen.
• Extreme fatigue.
• Lightheadedness or dizziness.

Causes

The underlying cause is usually Coronary Artery Disease (CAD).

• Plaque Buildup (Atherosclerosis): Fatty deposits (cholesterol) narrow the arteries over time.
• Rupture & Clot: A plaque deposit bursts, and the body forms a blood clot to fix it. This clot blocks the artery completely, starving the heart muscle of oxygen.

Heart Attack vs. Cardiac Arrest:
A Heart Attack is a "plumbing" problem (blocked pipe). Cardiac Arrest is an "electrical" problem (the heart stops beating). A heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest.

Diagnosis

In the ER, doctors work fast to confirm the diagnosis:

• ECG (Electrocardiogram): Records the heart's electrical signals to see if muscle damage is occurring.
• Blood Tests (Troponin): When heart muscle is damaged, it releases specific enzymes (Troponin) into the blood.
• Angiogram: A dye is injected into the arteries to visualize the blockage on an X-ray.

Treatment

Treatment aims to restore blood flow immediately.

1. Immediate Meds

• Aspirin: To thin the blood and stop the clot from growing. (Chew it for faster absorption).
• Nitroglycerin: To open blood vessels and improve flow.
• Thrombolytics: "Clot-busting" drugs used if surgery isn't immediately available.

2. Procedures

• Angioplasty & Stenting: A catheter with a balloon is threaded into the blocked artery to widen it. A mesh tube (stent) is placed to keep it open.
• Bypass Surgery (CABG): Surgeons take a healthy blood vessel from the leg or chest and connect it to the heart, creating a new path for blood to bypass the blocked artery.

First Aid: What to Do

1. Call 911.
2. Chew Aspirin: If the person is conscious and not allergic, give them 325mg of Aspirin to chew.
3. Begin CPR: If the person is unconscious and not breathing, start chest compressions immediately (hard and fast in the center of the chest) until help arrives.

Disclaimer: The content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician regarding any medical condition.