Heart attack is the major cause of death of many men and women through out the world. It is the health condition in which the coronary arteries supplying blood and oxygen to the heart get blocked, due to accumulation of cholesterol. Also known as myocardial infarction, heart attack is an emergency situation in which the patient has to be given immediate medical attention. The first five minutes are vey crucial and the patient has to be taken to the hospital or given first aid immediately.
Symptoms
Heart attack can be cured, surprisingly, if the symptoms and causes of heart attack are known and there is a thorough knowledge of them. Most of the deaths due to heart attack occur because of the lack of knowledge of their symptoms. Some of the symptoms that are related to heart attack are not known by people and some of them that are not related to heart attack are mistakenly thought so.
There are three main symptoms that can be identified with this killer disease. Chest discomfort, other kinds of discomfort and breathing trouble are the three symptoms. When there is a discomfort or acute pain in the middle of the chest that lasts for 2 or three minutes, it is the symptom of heart attack. This may be temporary and may reoccur.
In some cases, the pain in the chest may spread to other parts such as one or both arms, back or stomach or to the neck or the jaw. Trouble in breathing is more common for those who experience heart attack. The most absurd thing is to wait for too long with these symptoms before seeking others help. The sooner the help obtained, the more the chances of survival of the patient.
Causes
There are many causes associated with heart attack. A long history of vascular disease, old age, excessive addiction to alcohol, smoking, drug abuse, abnormal hear beat, stress, obesity, high or low cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes all contribute to heart attack.
For women, the secretion of estrogen offers protection against the disease and therefore, after menopause when estrogen secretion is decreased. Chances of heart attack especially after ten years of menopause are more. Women who have had their ovaries removed, have a family history of heart disease metabolic syndromes also are more prone to this attack.
Other factors that contribute to heart attack are processed foods, like French fries, hamburgers, fatty foods and lack of adequate sleep. It is possible to prevent heart attack through a healthy lifestyle and following diet rich fruits and vegetables. Intake of salt has to be limited and body weight has to be monitored closely. Caffeinated beverages and alcohol should be limited. Regular exercise is also essential to improve the health of heart.
Treatment
As for the treatment, some involve medications while most other cases need an invasive surgery. The blood clots in the arteries are removed through surgery and balloon angioplasty is more commonly administered to open a blocked artery. More severe cases require coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
