Not all heart attacks are the same. Some individuals can experience something like acute indigestion, and not be aware that the attack has started. Over 1 million individuals in the USA have some form of heart attack every year. And approximately half will die before getting help. But if the person gets to hospital on time there is a highly likely hood they will survive, and live a normal life afterwards.
There are many causes of a heart attack, but most are caused by one identical source. Usually the cause is blockage of the artery leading to the heart, which in turn shuts down oxygen, and valuable nutrients from reaching the specific area of the heart. If blood does not reach the heart is can be damages, or die. And damage to the heart cannot be reversed.
Cases of heart attacks consist of one or more of the following symptoms. Coronary Artery Spasm is one form of condition. The heart spasms, and narrow at the same time, and less or no blood reaches the heart.
Another cause of heart attacks i9s a blood clot forming in the artery, were plaque has already built up
Then there is fatty or waste build up on the artery known as plaque. This blocks the artery and does not allow oxygen to reach the heart.
So how can you tell if you are having a heart attack?
In most instances it is signaled by sudden, and sharp pain in the middle to upper chest area. It will feel like someone has placed a large weight on your chest. Occasionally there will be paid going down your left arm. With possible shortness of breath, fainting, dizziness, or sweating. This is the classic form of a heart attack. But not everyone experiences this form of an attack.
Sometimes all that is felt is discomfort similar to indigestion, with slight pain in the middle of the chest other individuals may have no pain, or symptoms. An heart attack can be very subtle, and very dangerous. The less the symptoms that show, the higher the risk is for survival.
Women may experience a heart attack different then men will. Women usually feel a burning sensation in their upper abdominal area, with shortness of breath, accompanied by sweating, and sometimes dizziness. In most cases because it does not feel like a classic heart attack, women may ignore the symptoms, putting the at a higher risk.
It is important to get to an emergency room as soon as possible when ever you have any of these, or other symptoms lasing more then just a couple of minutes. Time is of the essence with all heart attacks.
The outcome of the heart attack may vary with the individuals. But if you survive you can live a healthy and safe life. Just obey the doctor, and follow through with regular monitoring, And above all make sure you take your medication.
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SOURCES:
Journal of American Medicine Association
American Heart Association
Red Cross
Medline Plus
John Hopkins Hospital
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