Heart attack is a medical emergency that can occur at any minute without any warming. Early recognition of the warning signs can be life-saving. It is essential for everyone to understand what happens during a heart attack and when to seek medical help. If experiencing symptoms of heart attack whether it’s by you or around you, your reaction should have no delay. At Sohana Hospital, we have a dedicated team of heart specialists, including cardiologists and heart doctors, ready to provide expert care.
In this blog, we explain to you the recognition of the heart attack, steps you have to take immediately and why proper timely treatment by an efficient, dedicated and trusty heart hospital such as Sohana Hospital is absolutely indispensable.
What is a Heart Attack?
A heart attack is the condition whereby blood flow to a part of the heart muscle is blocked. This blockage may be due to a build-up of fatty deposits, called plaque, or due to the formation of a blood clot around the plaque. The heart muscle, deprived of oxygen when the blood flow is blocked, may be damaged. If not treated on time one could lose their lives.
Common Symptoms of a Heart Attack
Not everyone experiences a heart attack in the same way, and symptoms can vary from person to person. However, there are a few common signs that may indicate you are having a heart attack:
1. Chest Pain or Discomfort
Chest pain or an uncomfortable feeling is the most common symptom of a heart attack. It can be due to pressure, squeezing, fullness, or heaviness in the chest. Some describe it as a tight feeling or a weight on their chest.
2. Pain Radiating to Other Areas
Apart from chest pain, the discomfort might radiate to other parts of your body.
You may experience pain in your left arm, your neck, jaw and your stomach
Radiating pain is another warning sign, and you must not take it lightly.
3. Shortness of Breath
You could find it difficult to breathe or breathe only shallowly, as shortness of breath accompanies the chest pain. You can’t catch your breath, or you may become severely winded with minimal activity.
4. Sweating
Other symptoms include sweating excessively, with cold sweat even when you have not exerted yourself physically.
5. Dizziness or Lightheadedness
Dizziness or feeling lightheaded can result from a heart attack. Dizziness or the sensation of being lightheaded can come suddenly and without warning.
6. Nausea or Vomiting
Some patients experience nausea or even vomiting while having a heart attack. This symptom is more prevalent in women, but it can happen to anyone.
7. Fatigue
Unusual or extreme fatigue, which often feels like it’s even at rest, is a warning sign, especially in the days leading up to a heart attack.
Who is at Risk?
There are several risk factors of having a heart attack including age, family history, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, people living with stress and who have a sedentary life leading to lower heart rate are at much higher risk. If you have more than one, you should consult a cardiologist regularly and carefully monitor your overall heart health.
What to Do If You Feel You Are Undergoing a Heart Attack
If yourself or anyone surrounding you are exhibiting any symptoms of an attack, this is a period when it should be taken swiftly:
1. Call Emergency Services Within Minutes
Do not wait to see if the symptoms disappear. Dial emergency services immediately. Time is of the essence in case of heart attacks, and the sooner the medical help, the higher the chances of survival and least damage to the heart.
2. Chew Aspirin (If You Can)
If you can, chewing an aspirin can help thin the blood and reduce the damage caused by the blockage. However, if you are allergic to aspirin or have been advised not to take it by your doctor, do not take it.
3. Stay Calm and Rest
Try to stay as calm as possible. Rest and avoid any physical activity that could make the situation worse.
4. Call for Emergency Help Right Away
After emergency services are called, they will take you to the nearest heart hospital for emergency treatment. Here at Sohana Hospital, our heart doctors and medical staff are prepared to perform life-saving procedures such as angioplasty, stenting, or even bypass surgery if required.
How Sohana Hospital Can Assist
Sohana Hospital is a leading heart hospital that specialises in providing proper care for patients who are heart problem patients. Our team of cardiologists and cardio doctors have excellent skills for the diagnosis and treatment of all sorts of heart diseases, including a heart attack.
Services to Handle Heart Conditions:
1. Angiography and Angioplasty
When you come to Sohana Hospital and are suspected to be having a heart attack, the treatment usually begins with an Angiography. In this procedure, a special dye is injected through your arteries in order to detect whether there’s a blockage in the flow of blood reaching your heart. If there’s a blockage, the angioplasty procedure may be suggested, which would open up the blocked artery and restore the normal flow of blood.
2. Stenting
Many people have a stent inserted into the artery following angioplasty in order to maintain it open. It may become re-calcified, though stenting is generally an extremely successful procedure for the majority of individuals who have suffered heart disease or heart attack patients.
3. Bypass Surgery
In severe cases, especially if many arteries are blocked, then a bypass surgery may be required. Bypass surgery involves taking a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body and using it to bypass the blocked artery while allowing blood to flow freely to the heart muscle.
Preventing Heart Attacks
There are several steps you can take to lower your risk of having a heart attack that are not based on chance. For example, the following can help you lower your risk:
- Eat a heart-healthy diet filled with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats.
- Exercise regularly to improve heart health and manage your weight.
- Avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption.
- Monitor blood pressure and cholesterol levels and keep them controlled with the assistance of a heart specialist.
- Manage your stress through relaxation techniques or regular physical activity.
Conclusion
If you recognize any of the heart attack symptoms described above, you should not wait to seek medical help. Sohana Hospital offers wide-ranging heart care services, ranging from angiography and angioplasty to advanced procedures like stenting and bypass surgery. You can count on our team of expert cardiologists and heart doctors for guidance toward better heart health.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with a cardio doctor, contact Sohana Hospital today. Your heart health is our priority!