Heart Attack

Heart attack, heart failure, heart block, cardiac arrest and many other terms are commonly used by the public and doctors. Any such heart related problem causes lot of anxiety and fear among patients. In this blog, we shall try to clarify what are these heart conditions mean, how to recognise and how to prevent them.

What is a heart attack?

A heart attack occurs when a blocked artery prevents the flow of oxygen-rich blood from reaching a section of the heart. When the blocked artery is not reopened immediately, the part of the heart that is normally nourished by that particular artery begins to die in a few minutes. The cardiologists and cardiac surgeons striveto establish the normalcy in circulationby some medicines, catheter-procedure or a surgery. An early action by patient and the doctors prevents damage to the heart muscle.

Cardiac doctors explain that the symptoms of a heart attack could sometimes be immediate and intense. More often, the symptoms start slowly and stay persistent for a few minutes, hours, days or even weeks before a heart attack. Sometimes the heart attack may be mistaken for a problem in digestion or chest infection.

See your doctor promptly if you have:

Chest pain or discomfort
Heart palpitations
Rapid or irregular heartbeats
Unexplained wheezing
Shortness of breath
Fainting or near fainting
Light-headedness or dizziness

What is a cardiac arrest?

Sudden cardiac arrest occurs suddenly and often without any prior warning. It can caused by an electrical or circulatory malfunction in the heart that causes an irregular heartbeat initially and total cessation of a beat. This sudden disruption in its pumping action affects the brain, lungs and other organs. Person loses consciousness and has no pulse. Death is caused within minutes if the victim does not receive medical attention and revival attempts.

If somebody collapse in front of you, call your emergency number. Look for the pulse and respiratory activity. Every minute matters and every reaction of yours could save your life if done in time. Get an automated external defibrillator if available. Use it as soon as it arrives. Begin CPR immediately. Continue until professional emergency medical services arrive. EMS staff are trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped or does not respond any longer. If two people are available, one could begin CPR immediately while the other calls for emergency medical help or finds an AED.

Star hospitals has one of the best cardiology set-ups in Hyderabad that can accept any cardiac emergency. It offers all modern angioplasty and cardiac surgery services. The initial work-up involves ECG,ECHO, TMT (in some cases), cardiac catheterisation, angiography and a few blood tests. Most cases have to take only a few medicines. All patients are advised to quit smoking and do aerobic exercises at least 30 minutes per day after stabilisation.