Yes. Cardiac emergencies are life threatening. Heart attack can occur owing to a number of causes. Doesn’t really matter what’s causing the cardiac arrest but the resulting damage is devastating. The eponym “When the bolt strikes…” thus stands appropriate to describe cardiac emergencies!
Definition of Acute Heart Attack
Technically heart attack is termed as the Myocardial Infarction and it results from the total blockage of the blood vessel (coronary artery) which supplies blood to the heart. Medically speaking; blockage mainly happens due to the formation of plaque (composed of cholesterol, fibrin, fat and calcium)
Risk Factors for Acute Heart Attack
The major risk factors are those that are responsible in increasing the risk of heart and blood vessel disease. The American Heart Association – AHA has figured out a number of risk factors. While some of the risk factors can be modified, controlled and treated but some can’t. It is also important to mention here; greater the lever of each risk factor, greater the risk.
Non-modifiable Risk Factors
Increasing age: More than 83%of people who die of coronary heart disease are 65 or older.
Heredity (including Race): Children of parents with heart disease are more likely to develop it themselves.
Gender: Men are more susceptible to heart attack but women also have their own unique heart risk factors, which should never be ignored.
Modifiable Risk Factors
Smoking: Smoking and heart disease has a deep seated connection. Take it in writing; smokers’ risk of developing coronary heart disease is around 24 times more than that of the nonsmokers.
High blood cholesterol: as the blood cholesterol rises, so does the heart risk factors. Here is the fact – when high cholesterol is coupled with high BP and smoking then the risk increases even more.
High blood pressure: High BP increases the work load of the heart muscle. This further causes the heart to become thick and stiff. It also sets the perfect stage for stroke, heart attack and congestive heart failure
Physical inactivity: I repeat and repeat again – inactive lifestyle is a risk factor for coronary heart disease. You don’t have to work out vigorously and just a few Heart Friendly Exercises for Cardio Vascular Wellness can provide you with greater benefits. However, even moderate-intensity activities help if done regularly. Exercise can help control blood cholesterol, diabetes and obesity, as well as help lower blood pressure in some people.
Obesity: That’s right; obesity increases the risk for heart disease. Remember; when your weight is in a healthy range your body will be able to circulate blood more efficiently. Your fluid levels then could be managed rather easily. With a healthy body weight you are thus less likely to develop heart disease and diabetes.
Diabetes mellitus: Diabetes increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. If you have Diabetes, it’s extremely important to work with your healthcare provider and also check with heart specialist in Kolkata determine the heart risk factors.
Stress: Believe it or not; individual response to stress and anxiety is a strong contributing factor
Symptoms of heart attack
Here’s the hard fact – heart attack may manifest with a severe and sudden onset of chest pain often described as compressing pain or heaviness. This can quickly radiate to the left hand, jaw or to the back. Often it is associated with sweating and weakness. In fact the heart attack can be so sudden that the patient suddenly collapses and thus becomes unresponsive. Take a look at the possible heart attack symptoms and do not ignore them.
Heart attack treatment in Kolkata
Okay – the aim of heart attack treatment is to save the heart muscle from damage following lack of blood supply.
Medications and Lifestyle Modifications are prescribed by the doctors for reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
Roughly one third of the patients with CAD undergo coronary angioplasty and stenting in Kolkata. Stenting basically uses a device called a stent, which helps to restore blood flow in the coronary artery. Stent is an expandable, tiny, mesh-like tube usually made of stainless steel or cobalt alloy. The stent mounted onto a tiny balloon is used in opening inside of the artery, to push back plaque and also to restore normal blood flow.
Treatments for coronary artery disease in Kolkata can help in controlling the cardiovascular disease. First things first – Take medication. Stick to a light diet and exercise. When these changes aren’t enough, your cardiologist may recommend a stent implant or in some cases a bypass surgery.
Don’t ignore the symptoms and talk to an experienced cardiologist in Kolkata before it becomes too late!