Heart attacks pose a severe health risk and can be life-threatening. They happen when a blockage in the coronary arteries interrupts blood flow to the heart, which can cause constant harm. In this article you will learn the things you need to know about heart attacks.
Things You Need to Know About Heart Attacks
What is a heart attack?
The coronary arteries transport blood to the heart, letting it function. A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, happens when a blockage occurs in the coronary arteries and reduces the flow of blood to the heart.
Types of coronary artery disease that can result in a heart attack
- ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
- Non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)
- Coronary artery spasm
STEMI
A STEMI heart attack is critical and needs an urgent inspection.
These attacks happen, when the coronary artery is fully blocked, restricting blood from entering a large area of the heart. This creates continuous harm to the heart muscle, which can ultimately stop it from working.
NSTEMI
NSTEMI stands for Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Sometimes an NSTEMI is known as a non-STEMI. A myocardial infarction is the medical term for a heart attack.
NSTEMI heart attacks happen when the coronary artery is partially blocked and blood flow is seriously decreased.
While they are less dangerous than STEMI heart attacks, they can produce constant damage.
Coronary artery spasm
A coronary artery spasm is an unexpected tightening of the muscles within the arteries of your heart. When this happens, your arteries narrow and restrict blood from running to your heart.
These contractions are also called silent heart attacks or unstable angina.
They occur when the arteries attached to the heart contract, blocking or limiting blood flow to the heart.
Treatment – Things You Need to Know About Heart Attacks
Despite the cause, all heart attacks need immediate medical consideration. The therapy used will depend on the type of coronary artery disease.
Quick treatments involve:
- Aspirin to decrease further blood clotting
- Oxygen therapy
- Nitroglycerin to promote blood flow
- Attempts to reduce chest pain
After concluding the severity of the attack
- Clot busters
- Blood thinners
- Blood pressure medications
- Beta-blockers
Recovery – Things You Need to Know About Heart Attacks
Recovery can change significantly, depending on the kind of heart attack, its severity, and how it was treated.
A person can often return to regular activities within a week. However, when the underlying coronary artery disease was more critical, it may take months to recover from a heart attack.
Risk factors
- High blood pressure
- Overweight
- Poor diet
- Smoking
- Old age
- Diabetes
- History of family heart diseases
Prevention – Things You Need to Know About Heart Attacks
- Aerobic exercises
- Reducing stress
- Quit smoking
- Healthy Diet
- Balance Weight
