Heart attack: causes, symptoms, first aid, prevention

In life, there are situations when the heart suddenly stabbed, shot in the side. This can be caused by simple physical fatigue, or it can be a signal of serious problems in the body. This article will tell you about a heart attack, what happens in the body at this time, what symptoms it has and how to provide first aid.

Causes of a heart attack

A direct definition of this phenomenon is the necrosis of the tissues of one of the parts of the heart, which occurs as a result of the cessation of blood circulation. The word myocardium translated from Latin means heart.

The main causes of a heart attack are:

• prolonged vasospasm;
• thrombosis - blockage of blood vessels by cholesterol plaque;
• embolism, that is, the overlap of the leading vessel;
• physical overstrain in conditions of insufficient blood supply.

Factors provoking the development of an infarction state:

1. Diabetes.
2. Diseases of the cardiovascular system.
3. Metabolic failure.
4. Increased blood cholesterol levels.
5. Pressure surges, hypertension.
6. Severe stress and a nervous lifestyle.
7. Blood clotting disorder.
8. Low physical activity.
9. Gout.
10. Excess body weight.
11. Previous stroke, heart attack or ischemic heart disease.
12. Heredity, if the above diseases were encountered in the family, then there is a risk of heart attack.

The mechanism of a heart attack looks like this. The vessel is clogged with plaque. As a result, the blood flow creates pressure, which the vessel cannot withstand and tears. A blood clot forms at this site, which seeks to restore the integrity of the vessel. But, having sealed the damage, the blood clot continues to grow and clogs the hole for the blood completely. As a result, part of the heart does not receive nutrients and dies off.

Remember that men are more susceptible to this ailment than the weaker sex. This is due to the way of life of men. Alcohol, smoking, fatty and spicy foods, a large amount of stress - all this gives a completely non-positive imprint on health.

Types of infarction

When diagnosing a heart attack, the following forms are distinguished:

1. Gastric. The pain seems to be in the stomach or esophagus. This happens when the left cardiac ventricle is damaged.
2. Arrhythmic. Accompanied by a rapid heartbeat.
3. Asthmatic. He is characterized by coughing and asthma attacks. Sputum in the lungs is clearly audible, but there is no pain. This type is more typical for repeated heart attacks.
4. Cerebral - resembles a stroke. The main signs of this disease are weakness, dizziness, nausea. Rarely - loss of consciousness.
5. Painless. There is no pronounced sensation of pain, but there is discomfort. Presses, crowds, you can't breathe. Most often occurs in diabetics. It is considered one of the most severe forms of the disease.

There is also a classification of infarction by type:

• anemic or ischemic;
• hemorrhagic;
• mixed, combines the features of the first two types.

With ischemic or anemic infarction, most often suffer from:

• kidneys;
• spleen;
• brain;
• a heart.

Cessation of blood circulation causes partial death of tissues of internal organs - dry necrosis.

Hemorrhagic type of heart attack occurs as a result of stagnation of blood in the vessels and arteries.

The most common points of damage of this type are:

1. Lungs.
2. Intestines.
3. Spleen.
4. Brain.

The third type of ailment combines the properties of both of the above forms and is accompanied by dry necrosis and hemorrhage.

Heart attack symptoms

The first and most pronounced sign of a heart attack is a sharp, powerful pain in the chest area. The sensation presses, burns, squeezes, colitis. May be given to the shoulder or jaw. It usually lasts 5-15 minutes. Then it subsides. The nature of the sensations can change. For example, first there is a burning sensation in the chest, and then cold.

Patients who have experienced a myocardial attack say that this is the most painful sensation in their life. But it is worth knowing that in 25% of cases, a heart attack is not so noticeable and can be confused with a common cold. Since it is accompanied by weakness and drowsiness.
The most dangerous is the inconspicuous course of the attack, since the patient may not appreciate the seriousness of what is happening to his body. And if you do not call an ambulance on time, then the risk of dying in the next few hours increases significantly.

The pain can cause the sensation of ordinary angina pectoris, but it has its own characteristics:

• does not go away after taking the medicine;
• accompanied by weakness, increased sweating, drowsiness, shortness of breath;
• incomprehensible feeling of anxiety, panic;
• may go along with a head spasm or dizziness;
• in rare cases, the only sign of a heart attack is a sudden cardiac arrest.

Remember that pain should never be tolerated. Contact a specialist immediately. You should not wait for the onset of obvious signs of an attack. Seek help if you experience something similar to symptoms of myocardial failure. This will help reduce the risk of complications, and maybe even save lives.

The severity of pain does not indicate the strength of the lesion. It is possible that with mild pains, a large area of ​​the heart is damaged or severe complications will occur later.

The main symptoms of a heart attack:

• Pain syndrome, chest tightness - a feeling of discomfort, burning, compression. These symptoms tend to disappear and return for some time.
• Pain in the entire upper body, accompanied by tingling throughout the affected part. Can give to the shoulders, arms, jaw, lower back.
• Discomfort in the stomach, accompanied by nausea, vomiting and a vivid burning sensation, similar to heartburn.
• Anxiety: Feeling panicked for no reason.
• Blueness of lips and fingers.
• Pallor of the skin, increased sweating.
• Dizziness, increased sweating. Excessive sweating with complete rest, accompanied by a sharp cooling of the skin.
• Difficulty breathing - shortness of breath and respiratory failure are present, it is difficult to breathe in deeply, occurs even before chest compression and pain.

Despite the exact description of the symptoms, each patient has a different combination, no two heart attacks with the same symptomatology.

Ignoring these symptoms can lead to future disability or even death. Remember that about 15% of all heart attacks end in death. Don't joke with your health or even your life.

First aid for a heart attack

In connection with the increased incidence of heart attacks, both in the elderly and in the young, a certain scheme of first aid for a heart attack has been developed, which must be adhered to exactly in order to save a person's life.

1. Calling the ambulance service to call doctors and shortening the time between the first sign of a heart attack and the initial actions of the doctor. Therefore, it is best to meet the ambulance carriage by one of the relatives to speed up the arrival at the place.
2. Taking a Nitroglycerin tablet by a patient to partially relieve the load on the heart. Take 2-3 times with an interval of 10-15 minutes. Before that, take a lying position and take a sedative tablet to normalize the heart rate.
3. Open all windows and doors in the room (apartment) for the best ventilation.
4. Before the ambulance arrives, try to get rid of the pain with pain relievers - Analgin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory. A tablet of Nitroglycerin for a patient under the tongue can be replaced with 20 drops of Corvalol.
5. If during the following measures there are symptoms indicating cardiac arrest in the patient, then the patient should be given a precordial blow - hit hard in the sternum without hitting the xiphoid process to restore the ventricles.
6. In the absence of a reaction to a precordial beat, it is necessary to immediately perform an indirect heart massage: place your hands so that your thumbs are looking in different directions. One on the chin, and the second on the side of the abdomen 2 fingers above the xiphoid process. The arms should be straight, never bent.
7. After every 30 movements, take two breaths and check for a pulse on the carotid artery. If the pulse does not appear, repeat the manipulations done before the ambulance arrives.

Heart attack treatment

The main directions in the treatment of a myocardial attack are the following recovery stages:

1. Restoration of blood circulation. The area of ​​necrosis directly depends on the rate of blood flow restoration.
2. Minimizing the affected area. Treatment measures focus on maintaining healthy areas.
3. Removal of pain syndrome. Since extensive restorative measures are underway, the patient will only be prevented by unnecessary pain. Moreover, the patient may not stand the pain and die.
4. Prevention of complications and re-stroke.

The most effective way to treat a heart attack is surgery. The surgeon removes the blood clot and restores the integrity of the vessel. After that, the work of the affected area is restored or the heart area is limited.

If the operation is not possible, but the therapy of the infarction state includes the following areas:

1. A strict diet, a complete rejection of fatty, spicy, salty. Nothing that can cause gas or bowel obstruction. Excessive consumption of foods rich in vitamin C and magnesium - citrus, liver, fermented milk products.
2. Limit the patient's motor regime as much as possible. Full bed rest for the first 2 days. After that, small movements are allowed - flips from side to side, sit down and stand up.
3. Respiratory gymnastics and physical activity with the limbs - blood stagnation is also undesirable.
4. The use of medicines. Painkillers, Aspirin or Heparin, Nitroglycerin, diuretics... The latter are used in case of cardiac edema.

The main direction in the treatment of a heart attack is the restoration of the patency of blood in the veins, vessels and capillaries, as well as improving the work of the heart muscle.

The following supplements are used to recover from a heart attack:

• magnesium-B6 - the main substance for the heart, normalizes the heart rate;
• coenzyme Q10, responsible for heart rejuvenation;
• L-carnitine - invigorates in a short time, improves well-being;
• fish fat- Omega 3 fatty acids promote the breakdown of unhealthy fats in the body. Including cholesterol.

The consequences of a heart attack

There is such an important problem as the treatment of the acute form of the disease. Treatment of an acute form of the disease is directed to the earliest possible establishment of blood flow through a coronary artery clogged with a thrombus. When the goal is achieved, chest pain disappears and the death of myocardial cells stops. The sooner the muscle is enriched with oxygen and nutrition, the more likely it is that the seizure will not have any consequences.

Treatment for an attack in the heart muscle:

1. Reception of funds that destroy blood clots - blood clots.
2. Medicines that stop the formation of new blood clots are antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants.
3. Coronary intervention through the skin - angioplasty.
4. Medicines that oxygenate the heart muscle.
5. Medicines that restore the heart rate.

Of course, like any other serious illness, a heart attack has its consequences:

• heart failure;
• arrhythmia;
• heartbreak;
• aneurysm of the walls of the left ventricle;
• thromboembolism;
• pericarditis;
• heart block.

Recovery after a heart attack

The first time after an attack, the patient must carefully observe complete rest. Any, even the smallest physical effort can damage a weak heart.

After removing the main symptoms of the disease, the patient, in addition to medications, is prescribed physical therapy and physiotherapy. All this is mandatory under the full supervision of doctors, using special equipment equipped with special sensors. Inpatient follow-up is usually 2-3 weeks. Upon returning home, it is not recommended to start life as usual right away. For the first couple of months, you will also need to limit physical activity - do not walk on stairs, do not lift heavy objects. Remember that you will likely have to take medication for the rest of your life. To minimize the risk of a second blow to the heart muscle.

Talking about adult life, it is understood that her bedside side cannot be ignored. It will be possible to return to intimate life after one and a half to two months, after a crisis. Again, at first you will need to spare yourself, prefer inactive poses. Sometimes it is prescribed to take nitrates for half an hour or an hour before intimacy.

Psychological assistance is mandatory for people who have suffered a heart attack. Yes, the disease is serious and complex. Requiring temporary recognition of oneself as incapacitated in order to preserve health or even life. But, the consequences are being treated, it is quite possible to recover completely. This is not a sentence, one can and should live with it.

Psychological support to patients involves establishing a positive attitude, helping to accept and establishing a new way of life, and becoming aware of reality. Psychological assistance will not be complete without the patient's full support from family members.

Prevention of heart attack

The best method of preventing a heart attack is prevention, prevention. Even if you do not belong to the risk category, you should still not be negligent about your health. Take care of yourself - you can't buy health.

To protect yourself you need:

1. Monitor the weight, do not allow its sharp and strong increase.
2. Do sport. At least minimal loads must be mandatory.
3. Complete rejection of bad habits. Especially from smoking.
4. Monitor pressure.
5. Undergo a complete medical examination every year. This is useful not only for fear of a heart attack. Such a measure will help to timely identify any health problems and eliminate them. Avoid complications.
6. Check level cholesterol and blood sugar.
7. Go for proper nutrition. Do not eat fatty, very spicy or too salty foods. Give up fast food and fast food completely.
8. Preventive use of blood thinners - Aspirin, Cardiomagnet.
9. Increased intake of vitamins, dietary supplements may be taken.

Life after a heart attack

Approximately 6 months after the attack, it will be possible to return to a more or less familiar life. Again, giving up bad habits, loading yourself with moderate physical activity.

For the rest of your life, you will need to be extremely careful about your health, carefully follow the recommendations of a specialist. And undergo a medical examination every six months or a year.