Heart Attack
A heart attack occurs when blood flow to a section of heart muscle becomes blocked. Most often, heart attack occurs when blood flow to a section of the heart is blocked, that is, if the flow of blood is not restored causing the section of the heart muscle is damaged due to lack of oxygen and beginning to die.
According to surveys, heart attack is the leading cause of death of both men and women in the United States and other countries in the world. It is good now that there are excellent treatments for heart attack that can save lives and prevent disabilities it may cause.
Coronary artery disease is said to be the cause of heart attack. It is the buildup over time of a material called plaque on the inner walls of the coronary arteries. With that, a section of plaque can break open, causing a blood clot to form at the site. A heart attack occurs if the clot becomes large enough to cut off most or all of the blood flow through the artery.
The symptoms of heart attack:
Unlike what we can see on television or in movies, not all heart attacks begin with a sudden, crushing pain. The warning signs and symptoms of a heart attack differ from one person to another. Many heart attacks start slowly as merely as a mild pain or discomfort. Other people don't have either, that is called a silent heart attack.
Another common symptom of heart attack is chest pain or discomfort. Most heart attacksinvolve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back. The discomfort can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain. It can be mild or severe. Heart attack pain can sometimes feel like indigestion or heartburn.
The symptoms of a heart attack can be the same of that of angina. It is a pain in the chest that occurs in people with coronary artery disease, usually when they are always active. The pain lasts for only a few minutes and goes away with rest. Angina that doesn't go away or changes from its usual pattern can be a sign of the beginning of a heart attack and should be checked by a doctor right away.
Here are other common signs and symptoms that a person experiences during a heart attack:
- Upper body discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
- Shortness of breath may often occur with or before chest discomfort.
- Nausea (feeling sick to your stomach), vomiting, lightheadedness or fainting, or breaking out in a cold sweat.
Again, not everyone having a heart attack experiences the typical symptoms. There may be instances that none of the above mentioned symptoms may arise. If you have already had a heart attack, your symptoms may not be the same with other people. The more signs and symptoms you have, the more likely it is that you are having a heart attack.
By: Caryle S.
View more Heart Disease Videos from www.HealthGuru.comHeart Attach Recommended Resources:
University of Maryland Medical Center
Michael Valencia 03.04.09 at 00:38am kathryn reed 07.02.10 at 15:00pm willie pearl coleman 17.02.10 at 00:33am
