Heart attack: symptoms, causes and remedies

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Definition of a heart attack

What is a heart attack?

Heart attack is a type of heart disease that can be life threatening. This condition is a health problem that occurs when the flow of blood that is rich in oxygen is suddenly blocked to the heart muscle, so the heart does not get oxygen.

If blood flow is not restored quickly, part of the heart muscle begins to die. In fact, it is possible that those of you who have experienced this condition will experience it again at a later date.

This can happen if your lifestyle that was not changed before becomes healthier. About 20% of patients aged 45 years and over have a high chance of having a second attack. This generally occurs about 5 years after the first attack.

Types of heart attack

Here are some common types:

1. Heart attack due to total blockage

This type of attack is known as a meid ST-elevation myocardian infraction (STEMI) and is classified as the most serious compared to the others.

When experiencing STEMI, there is complete blockage of the arteries so that blood cannot flow to the heart. As a result, most of the heart muscle does not receive blood supply until it eventually stops functioning.

STEMI is considered a type of attack that is deadly, because patients who experience it have a greater risk of developing heart muscle damage only a few hours after the blockage occurs.

One of the most common symptoms of STEMI is middle chest pain. Usually, the chest feels like a squeeze or squeeze, not a stabbing feeling during STEMI.

2. Heart attack due to partial blockage

In contrast to STEMI, Non ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) is a type of heart attack characterized by partial blockage of the coronary arteries. As a result, blood flow to the heart is very limited.

Even though the level is below STEMI, this type of attack can cause permanent damage to the heart if not treated immediately.

The symptoms of STEMI and NSTEMI look the same. However, to differentiate whether you have STEMI or NSTEMI, you need to check with the nearest doctor or hospital.

3. Heart attack due to spasm of the arteries

Coronary artery spasm (CAS) or also known as coronary artery spasm is a type of heart attack without blockages in the arteries. This condition occurs when one of the heart arteries has a spasm, so that blood flow to the heart is drastically reduced, even temporarily stopped.

How common are heart attacks?

This condition is very common and is one of the many causes of death for both men and women. Women over the age of 55 and men over the age of 45 are more at risk of developing this condition. Even so, it does not mean that this condition is impossible to experience at a young age.

Heart attack signs & symptoms

Symptoms of a heart attack are quite a condition that can be felt. Chest pain like being hit by a heavy object (from moderate to severe) is the most common symptom felt by people who have this condition.

Pain can also occur in the jaw, shoulder or arm (especially the left arm). Pain is often described as squeezing, heaviness, or pressure. Other symptoms include:

• Cold sweats.
• Shortness of breath.
• Irregular heartbeat.
• Nausea.
• Indigestion.

Compared to men, the symptoms of heart attack in women and diabetics are slightly different, such as shortness of breath that is not accompanied by pain in the chest. In fact, not everyone who experiences this condition will feel pain in the chest.

There are some signs or symptoms not listed above. If you have any concerns about these symptoms, please consult your doctor.

When to see a doctor?

You need to call the Emergency Unit (UGD) or go to the nearest hospital as soon as possible if you experience symptoms of this condition. Regular visits to the doctor should also be made to check your condition and your risk of heart attack.

Ask your doctor about these symptoms if your heart hurts when you breathe, has swelling in your legs, or has trouble breathing when you lie down.

Causes of a heart attack

The main cause of heart attack is coronary heart disease (CHD). According to the Mayo Clinic, this condition occurs when fat, cholesterol, and other substances present in the body form plaque which then builds up in the coronary arteries.

These arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart. When plaque builds up in the arteries over the years, this condition is also known as atherosclerosis. Eventually, the plaque area itself can break (open) in the artery and cause a blood clot to form on the surface of the plaque.

This blood clot will block the arteries, so that blood flow cannot reach the heart. Over time, the heart muscle will break down and die from not getting the oxygen it needs.

What causes heart disease often occurs in the morning?

Basically, the timing of a heart attack is indiscriminate. This means that a heart attack can occur at any time. However, experts state that this condition occurs more often in the morning. One reason is the body's biological clock.

Everyone has the body's biological clock, which is the understanding of the cells in the body regarding their daily activities. The cells in the body will use this understanding to anticipate what will happen to the body next.

In the morning, generally the body will automatically prepare all the organs to return to normal work. Whereas before the body organs worked slowly, because at night you rested.

For example, every morning your body will "warm up" to every organ, including the heart and blood vessels. Demand for blood and food increases in the body, so the heart has to pump blood faster.

In addition, blood vessels tend to constrict in the morning. This makes your heart work even harder. If at that time there is a blockage in one of the blood vessels, then a heart attack cannot be avoided. At that time, you will experience various symptoms of a heart attack.

Heart attack risk factors

Heart attack is a condition that can happen to anyone. However, there are certain factors that can increase the potential risk of developing cells that cause one of these types of heart disease in the body. Here are some of the risk factors you need to pay attention to:

• Men aged 45 years and over and women aged 55 years and over are more at risk of developing this condition than younger ages.
• Smoking habit.
• High blood pressure.
• High cholesterol or triglyceride levels.
• Hereditary factors or family medical history.
• Lack of activity.
• Obesity.
• Severe stress.

Having no risk factors does not mean you are unlikely to have a heart attack. These factors are for reference only, you will need to see a doctor for more information.

Medication & treatment of heart attack

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

The goal of heart attack treatment is to save the heart muscle as much as possible. The choice of treatment depends on how long it has been since this condition began and the availability of special procedures at your hospital.

To save as much of the heart muscle as possible, drugs will be given to improve circulation and break down the blood clots that have formed in the arteries.

Medicines to treat heart attacks

Your doctor may suggest that you use other medications to reduce pain and blood pressure. Here are some types of drugs commonly used to treat heart attacks:

• Antiplatelet drugs, including aspirin. This drug serves to break down blood clots in the arteries.
• Thrombolytics. These drugs also function to break down blood clots.
• Blood thinning drugs, which aim to thin the blood and prevent blood clots.
• Pain relievers.
• Nitroglycerin, to treat chest pain, and increase blood flow to the heart by dilating narrowed blood vessels.
• Beta blockers, function to help the heart muscle relax, slow down the heart rate, reduce high blood pressure, and ease the work of the heart.
• ACE inhibitors, to reduce high blood pressure.
• Statin drugs, to control cholesterol levels in the blood.

Surgical procedures for heart attacks

In addition to the use of drugs to relieve the three types of heart attack, there are also surgical procedures that patients can undergo when having a heart attack. Are as follows.

1. Coronary angioplasty and stenting

This surgical procedure is performed by a cardiologist, by inserting a long thin tube (catheter) through an artery located in the groin or on the wrist to a blocked artery in the heart.

If the patient has had a heart attack, this procedure is usually performed after cardiac catheterization, which is a procedure used to locate blockages. The catheter used has a special balloon that will help open blockages that have occurred in the coronary arteries.

A small metal tube (stent) is then inserted into the artery to keep it open. The goal is to restore blood flow that had stopped, back smoothly to the heart. Usually, this small tube will be accompanied by medicine which will be released into the body to help keep the artery open.

2. Operation coronary artery bypass

Another surgical procedure that can also be done to deal with these three types of attacks is surgery bypass heart. This operation is usually performed between three to seven days after the patient has had a heart attack.

The interval between the time the attack occurs and the operation is used to restore the heart after a heart attack. This operation is performed by sewing a blood vessel or artery that is located outside the blockage or narrowing area.

The goal, so that blood flow can flow to the heart through the shortcut that has been made by the doctor through the suturing process. When the blood flow returns smoothly to the heart and the patient's condition has stabilized, you will be asked to stay in the hospital until a few days later for further observation.

What are the usual tests for a heart attack?

Your doctor will diagnose one of these types of heart disease based on signs and symptoms, your and your family's medical history, and the results of a medical examination. The diagnostic tests that doctors use include:

EKG (Electrocardiogram)

An EKG can show signs of heart damage caused by coronary heart problems, as well as signs of a heart attack that has been or is happening.

Blood test

During a heart attack, heart muscle cells die and release protein into the bloodstream. Blood tests can measure the amount of protein in the bloodstream. An amount higher than normal is thought to be a heart attack.

Coronary Angiography

The doctor will insert a thin, flexible tube (catheter) into a blood vessel in the arm, upper thigh, or neck. These tubes are then directed into the coronary arteries which then release the dye in the bloodstream.

A special x-ray is taken as the dye flows through the coronary arteries. The stain helps doctors study blood flow through the heart and blood vessels so that blockages can be found.

Home remedies for heart attacks

These healthy lifestyle and home treatments may help you deal with a heart attack:

1. Stop smoking

You should start to quit smoking, even avoid the smoke. Therefore, if you want to quit smoking, you can start by:

• Refrain from smoking.
• Replacing tobacco with nicotine gum, nicotine patch , or drugs prescribed by a doctor.
• Join a program to help get rid of the smoking habit.

If it feels difficult, you can ask your doctor if there is a program that helps you get out of this vicious circle.

2. Eat healthy foods

Start to stay away from foods that are high in saturated fat and trans fat. Also, remedy your diet by consuming a little salt, sugar, and high fat dairy products.

Add more fruit, vegetables and lean protein to your diet. If you can do this, automatically the levels of bad fats (LDL) and triglycerides will decrease.

High LDL and triglycerides can trigger atherosclerotic plaques, so that heart attacks can occur. So, from now on, reduce your consumption of food types such as cakes, fried foods, french fries, and so on.

3. Exercise regularly

Lowering LDL and blood pressure can also be done by exercising regularly. Apart from promoting better health, this habit also strengthens your heart muscle.

For those of you who are obese, exercise is highly recommended in order to lose their weight so that it does not happen for a second or more time. The reason is, obesity can increase the risk of heart attack.

Start exercising regularly for 30-60 minutes per day. There is no need to do extreme physical activity. You can use treadmill to begin with. If not there, take a morning walk or jogging with the time duration that has been mentioned, it is a pretty good alternative.

4. Limit alcohol consumption

Apart from smoking, alcohol is also included in the vicious cycle of this condition. Therefore, it would be better if you limit yourself to stopping alcohol consumption if you want to prevent another heart attack.

This is because alcoholic drinks can turn normal blood pressure into high and stress the heart. If you find it difficult, ask your doctor if there is a program that can help break this habit.

5. Controlling stress

If you are unable to control your stress level after the first attack, it is feared that a second attack could occur. This is because your emotions are not overly controlled and you are often irritable and irritated.

Therefore, try to control your emotions and ask for help from those closest to you to make it easier for you.

6. Routine consultation with a doctor

Apart from changing your diet and lifestyle, don't forget to keep coming to the sessions that have been scheduled by your doctor, especially if you have a history of other diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension. This is so that they can monitor the progress of your condition.

Follow what your doctor recommends and keep taking the medications that have been prescribed. That way, you are doing very well to prevent a second attack.