HEART ATTACK

(Myocardial Infarction)

 Basic information

description

A heart attack occurs when there is a severe blockage in an artery that carries blood to the heart muscle. It is a life-threatening event. Heart attacks most often affect adults over age 40, and men more than women (after age 70, they are equally affected).

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Chest pain or "heavy, squeezing, or crushing" feeling in the chest.
• Pain that radiates from the midchest over the breast bone to the jaw, neck, either arm, the area between the shoulder blades, or upper abdomen (sometimes).
• Feeling of impending doom.
• Shortness of breath.
• Nausea, vomiting, and sweating.
• Dizziness and/or weakness.
• Choking sensation.
• In some cases, no symptoms occur (called silent heart attack). It may be diagnosed during a routine exam.

causes

An artery carrying blood to the heart becomes blocked due to plaque (fatty material) or a blood clot. Without blood, the affected heart muscle becomes damaged and heart function is decreased. A more rare cause is a artery spasm that stops blood flow.

risk increases with

• Men over age 45 and women over age 55.
• Coronary artery disease (plaque in the arteries).
• Prior heart attack or family history of heart disease.
• Smoking, excess alcohol use, obesity/overweight, high blood pressure, diabetes, or stress.
• High LDL cholesterol levels or low HDL cholesterol levels or high triglycerides. (These are all blood fats.).
• Sedentary lifestyle (lack of physical activity).
• Other risk factors are being researched.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Exercise daily. Maintain a healthy weight. Eat a healthy diet. Don't smoke. Get medical care for diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. A daily, low-dose aspirin may be prescribed by your health care provider.

expected outcomes

The damage from a heart attack depends on how much of the heart is affected, how soon treatment begins, and other factors. Recovery will take 4 to 8 weeks. A full active life is possible after a heart attack.

possible complications

Cardiac arrest (heart stops beating completely), shock, irregular heart rhythms, heart failure, heart rupture, pericarditis (heart lining inflammation), aneurysm, blood clots, another heart attack, and depression.

 diagnosis & treatment

general measures

• If you have any symptoms of a heart attack, seek medical help right away. Don't drive yourself.
• If you suspect heart attack symptoms in someone, call 911 for help.
• Diagnosis and treatment of a heart attack begins when emergency medical personnel arrive after you call 911. In the hospital emergency room, health care providers will work fast to find out if you are having or have had a heart attack and to give you treatment.
• If you are having a heart attack, treatment is done to restore the blood flow to the heart, and to monitor your vital signs to detect and treat complications.
• Long-term treatment after a heart attack may include cardiac rehabilitation, checkups and tests, lifestyle changes (such as stopping smoking or weight loss), and drug therapy. To prevent another heart attack or complications, always follow all your prescribed therapies.
• To learn more: American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231; (800) 242-8721; website: www.americanheart.org.

medications

• Drugs to dissolve and/or prevent blood clots may be used for emergency care.
• After a heart attack, drugs may be prescribed to help the heart function, treat high blood pressure, prevent clots, or to lower cholesterol levels.

activity

• Resume your normal activities gradually during recovery. An exercise program will usually be recommended.
• You will be advised about when to return to work, resume sexual relations, or drive a car.

diet

• After a heart attack, eat a low-fat, high-fiber diet.
• Maintain ideal weight. Lose weight if overweight.

 notify our office if

• You or a family member has symptoms of a heart attack. This is a life-threatening emergency!
• New symptoms occur during recovery.

Special Notes: