During a heart attack, a clot blocks blood flow to the heart. The heart muscle begins to die. The greater the delay before seeking medical help,the greater the damage.
Blood is supplied to the heart through the coronary arteries. A coronary artery is an artery that supplies blood to the heart muscle (as well as essential nutrients). The death of heart muscle often produces chest pain and can cause electrical instability of the heart muscle tissue, speeding up the beats (ventricular fibrillation).
Whether or not the blockage happens all of a sudden, it is usually the effect of a plaque which has formed in the arteries over time. This process is known as atherosclerosis. If the artery is closed, the supply of oxygen as well as nutrients to the heart muscles will be substantially reduced, causing harm to the structure of the heart as well as chest pain.
Heart Attack Signs and symptoms
The majority of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack are similar for men and women. However, newer research has shown that heart attack symptoms in females are not always the same as those felt by males.
So often, the signs of a heart attack in females go undetected. Ladies usually attribute their signs and symptoms to other health conditions or negative effects of a medication or they assume they are going to vanish by themselves. Consequently, females don't always seek treatment. Loss of life in this instance is usually unavoidable.
Although chest pain is regarded as the typical symptom in both genders, females may also experience the following signs and symptoms:
•Exhaustion which gets worse on exertion;
•Trouble breathing;
•Heartburn not treated by antacids;
•Vomitting
•Stress and anxiety;
•Rigidity and pain in the chest which may spread towards the neck, jaw and shoulders;
•Generalized weakness;
•Paler than normal complexion;
•Perspiration.
While some females have just a few of the aforementioned signs and symptoms, some may go through all of them simultaneously. Signs and symptoms can happen all of a sudden and then go away. Additionally, a lot of women state having dealt with these signs and symptoms for approximately a month prior to their heart attack. In the event you go through these signs and symptoms and think a heart attack may occur, you should seek medical help immediately.
The treatment of heart attack is to unlock the blocked artery to restore as quickly as possible blood flow and prevent or limit damage to the heart muscle. It also aims to reduce the risk of future attacks. The faster treatment is administered, the greater the chances of survival and full recovery.
Last Updated
8th of December, 2011