A heart attack (myocardial infarction)
A heart attack (myocardial infarction) is a medical emergency that can result in death or permanent disability. It is caused by blocked blood flow to a part of the heart, usually due to coronary artery disease.
When a fatty plaque builds up in the walls of the heart's main arteries or an artery spasms, a blockage can occur. This blockage causes a lack of oxygen to the heart muscle, leading to ischemia. If this continues too long, it can lead to the death of heart muscle tissue.
Symptoms of a heart attack
Chest pain, shortness of breath, and other symptoms can indicate a heart attack. Men and women are equally likely to have these symptoms, but men's chest pain may be more intense than women's. Symptoms can be worse after exercise or stress. Other signs and symptoms include fatigue, weakness, or dizziness. Some people also experience nausea, a loss of appetite, or lightheadedness. Call 999 immediately if you think you or someone else is having a heart attack. An ambulance will arrive within a few minutes to take you to the hospital.
Your doctor will give you nitroglycerin to relieve chest pain. This medicine widens the blood vessels so more oxygen can get to the heart and other parts of your body. Other medicines, such as aspirin, can help prevent blood clots and reduce the damage to your heart.
Surgery and further treatment
Depending on the cause of your heart attack, you may need to have surgery to open a blocked heart artery. For example, if you have a heart attack with a partial blockage of the left coronary artery, a procedure called catheterization can be done to open the blockage.
In addition to opening a blocked artery, your doctor will treat the symptoms of your heart attack and prevent another one from happening. For example, your doctor may recommend a diet low in salt, a regular exercise program, and other lifestyle changes that can help you live longer and improve your health.
Follow-up care and rehabilitation
After you are discharged from the hospital, your doctor will evaluate your progress and decide what type of follow-up care is needed. This includes preventing further heart attacks and improving your overall health by addressing risk factors such as smoking, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
Some doctors will refer you to a specialist in heart care, such as cardiac rehabilitation. The rehabilitation specialist will work with you to develop an exercise and nutritional plan that's safe for you. This will help you avoid heart attack or stroke in the future and to enjoy a healthier, happier life.
Medications for heart protection
Your doctor can also prescribe medications to protect your heart and to increase the effectiveness of other treatments. For example, anti-clotting medications such as aspirin and thrombolytic drugs can reduce the amount of damage to your heart. These drugs can also help to keep your heart from swelling and causing you additional problems. Your doctor will prescribe them if you're at high risk for heart failure or if you have other heart conditions such as high blood pressure, narrowing of the main arteries in your legs (atherosclerosis), and high cholesterol levels.
