A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, occurs when the blood supply to a part of the heart is blocked, preventing oxygen from reaching the heart muscle. This can cause damage to the heart muscle and lead to heart failure.
The most common symptom of a heart attack is chest pain or discomfort. The pain may be described as pressure, squeezing, fullness, or ache. It may be felt in the center of the chest, or it may radiate to the left shoulder, arm, jaw, or neck. The pain may be mild or severe, and it may come and go.
Early Heart Attack Symptoms
Causes of Heart Attack
The most common cause of a heart attack is a blood clot that blocks an artery that supplies blood to the heart. Other causes of heart attack include:
- Coronary artery disease: This is a condition in which the arteries that supply blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked.
- High blood pressure: High blood pressure can damage the arteries and make it more likely for a blood clot to form.
- High cholesterol: High cholesterol can build up in the arteries and make it more likely for a blood clot to form.
- Smoking: Smoking damages the arteries and makes it more likely for a blood clot to form.
- Diabetes: Diabetes can damage the arteries and make it more likely for a blood clot to form.
- Obesity: Obesity can increase the risk of heart disease.
- Physical inactivity: Physical inactivity can increase the risk of heart disease.
- Stress: Stress can increase the risk of heart disease.
Early Symptoms of Heart Attack
The most common symptom of a heart attack is chest pain or discomfort. The pain may be described as pressure, squeezing, fullness, or ache. It may be felt in the center of the chest, or it may radiate to the left shoulder, arm, jaw, or neck. The pain may be mild or severe, and it may come and go.
Other symptoms of a heart attack may include:
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea or vomiting
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Sweating
- Fainting
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. A heart attack is a medical emergency, and early treatment can save your life.
First Aid for Heart Attack
If you think you or someone you know is having a heart attack, the most important thing to do is to call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. While waiting for help to arrive, you can help the person by:
- Comforting them: Let them know that help is on the way and that you are there for them.
- Encouraging them to sit or lie down: This will help to reduce the workload on their heart.
- Loosening their clothing: This will help them to breathe more easily.
- Administering CPR: If you are trained in CPR, you can start CPR until help arrives.
Prevention of Heart Attack
There are a number of things you can do to reduce your risk of heart attack, including:
- Eat a healthy diet: A healthy diet includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It is also important to limit your intake of saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, and sodium.
- Exercise regularly: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.
- Quit smoking: Smoking damages the arteries and makes it more likely for a blood clot to form.
- Control your blood pressure: If you have high blood pressure, work with your doctor to control it.
- Control your cholesterol: If you have high cholesterol, work with your doctor to control it.
- Manage your diabetes: If you have diabetes, work with your doctor to manage it.
- Reduce stress: Stress can increase the risk of heart disease. Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as exercise, yoga, or meditation.
By taking steps to reduce your risk of heart attack, you can help to protect your heart and live a longer, healthier life.
