You’ve no doubt heard of a heart attack, but do you know what a heart
attack actually is? Heart attacks are still a common health complication
in the United States and this is partly because few people are aware of
the factors that can lead up to a heart attack. Understanding what a heart
attack is can be helpful.
Heart attacks occur when arteries get clogged with plaque and interrupt
blood flow to the heart. The heart becomes damaged when it is cut off
from blood and will continue to degrade for as long as the blood flow
is cut off. Anyone who displays symptoms of a heart attack needs to visit
an emergency room immediately.
Symptoms of a heart attack
Many people will experience a heart attack without warning. Plaque buildup
in blood vessels (a condition called atherosclerosis) does not have any
symptoms, so few people are aware their heart is in any danger. There
are several telltale signs that a heart attack is occurring.
The following are some signs of a heart attack:
A tight, squeezing feeling in the chest
Nausea and stomach pain
Shortness of breath
Cold sweat
Lightheadedness and/or dizziness
Discomfort in other areas of the body such as the arm, neck, or shoulder
These symptoms vary from person to person, and having one or two symptoms
could be the sign of something other than a heart attack. One of the most
common signs is chest pain, which may go on for days or even weeks before
the heart attack occurs. If your family has a history of heart disease
then there is an increased risk that you will as well.
Recovery
After you have received medical treatment and recovered from the immediate
danger of a heart attack, the next step is to take measures to prevent
this from happening again. The heart weakens after a heart attack, but
it can recover if you make certain lifestyle changes. It is very important
you do this under the guidance of a medical professional. Remember, your
heart is weakened after an attack. You may think it will be helpful to
immediately start an intense workout routine, but this can actually overwork
the weakened heart. At West Jefferson Medical Center, we offer personalized
cardiac rehabilitation programs to help patients get back on their feet.
