Heart Attacks are 3 to 4 times more common in young Indians than in the West, and the trend is on the rise forever. Therefore, you need to know the signs that might save you from a major health scare.
Heart attacks are caused when the blood supply to the heart is cut off due to blocked arteries. This causes chest pain and electrical instability in the cardiac muscle tissue.
This attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, can be fatal and requires immediate and emergency medical attention.
Let’s see why what causes a heart attack:
Reason
The root cause of a heart attack is the sudden cessation of blood supply to the heart muscle. The muscle then begins to break down and eventually dies. This permanent damage can only be controlled with timely intervention; otherwise, a large part of the heart stops functioning, resulting in cardiac arrest and death.
Coronary heart disease
It is a major cause of heart attacks, and thus people should be familiar with early signs and symptoms. CHD is caused when the main blood vessels that supply the heart, namely the coronary arteries are blocked by cholesterol deposits known as plaque. If one of these plaques ruptures, the clot at the rupture site blocks the blood supply, triggering a heart attack.
You are at risk for coronary heart disease if you have:
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Smoking history –
The main risk factors, due to the nicotine and carbon monoxide from the smoke, make the heart work faster, putting strain on the heart. Even long-term exposure to second-hand smoke can act as a trigger.
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High fat diet –
The buildup of fatty substances in the coronary arteries interferes with and blocks the blood supply, a process known as Atherosclerosis.
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Diabetes –
The high blood sugar that causes diabetes causes blood vessels to become thicker, thereby limiting blood flow to the heart.
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High cholesterol or triglyceride levels –
High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), aka “bad cholesterol” narrows the arteries, and triglycerides also increase the likelihood of heart attacks.
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Hypertension –
Blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg or higher puts stress on the heart and increases the likelihood of life-threatening conditions. The risk increases when hypertension occurs together with high cholesterol or diabetes.
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Overweight or Obesity –
A BMI of 25 to 29.9 puts you in obesity. A BMI of 30 to 39.9 means you are obese, and you are at great risk for CHD. This, combined with a lack of exercise and/or a family history of CHD, puts you at potential risk.
Obesity, along with hypertension and high blood sugar can cause metabolic syndrome, another risk factor for heart attack. Losing just 10 percent of your body weight can lower your risk.
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Less Sports –
Inactivity contributes to high blood cholesterol levels and obesity. Regular exercise leads to better cardiovascular fitness and helps lower blood pressure.
Risky People
In addition to an underlying disease such as CHD, a number of factors put you at risk for a heart attack. There isn’t just one cause, and knowing the risk factors helps you better avoid, fight, and reverse them.
Irreversible risk
- Age: For men over 45 years, for women over 55 years.
- Gender: Men are at higher risk than women; for women, the chances are higher after menopause.
- Ethnic background: People from the Indian subcontinent are at higher risk than our Caucasian counterparts.
- Family history: A male relative who had an attack at age 55, and a female relative who had an attack at age 65 puts you at greater risk.
- History of Preeclampsia: High pressure during pregnancy carries a lifelong risk of heart attack.
- Autoimmune conditions: Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus increase the chance of a heart attack.
- HIV: The risk is 50 percent higher for people who are HIV positive.
Risks that can be controlled/changed
This includes those under CHD as well:
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Depression and social isolation –
People who are stressed at work, or suffer from social isolation without proper social support, are at greater risk.
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use of illegal drugs –
Stimulants such as cocaine or amphetamines and methamphetamine can trigger coronary artery spasm, thus causing a heart attack. It is the leading cause of death in young people.
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Hypoxia causes Angina –
Hypoxia in the blood due to carbon monoxide poisoning or loss of normal functioning of the lungs prevents the transport of oxygenated blood to the heart. The muscles get damaged, and a heart attack is triggered. Angina that is, chest pain, is the hallmark.
When to Seek Medical Care
The first hours after the onset of a Heart Attack are critical for prompt detection and treatment, to avoid death. Hence it is also known as the Golden Hour. Proper medical action taken within the first 60 minutes of a heart attack can help reverse its effects.
Therefore, it is very important that you learn to detect the warning signs, which are as follows:
- Sudden, stabbing pain in left hand, shoulder blade, chest, jaw and upper abdomen.
- The pain feels like a fist in the chest.
- A person experiences dizziness, fatigue, lightheadedness, cold skin sweating, sweating, etc.
- Heartburn, indigestion, vomiting, etc. are not uncommon.
- Tightness around the neck.
- Palpitations, shortness of breath with anxiety, and chest pressure are the most common danger signs.
