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Heart Attack
Symptoms
Look after
your heart to avoid heart failure
Heart attack occurs when the coronary
arteries are blocked. The blocked arteries reduce or stop the supply of
blood to the heart muscles. If the stoppage prolongs for a few minutes,
the heart muscles suffer permanent injury and die. This will result in a
fatal end or disability by the extent of heart muscle damage.
Heart
attacks and heart failure are among the commonest causes of death
Angina:
When enough oxygen carrying blood is not received by the heart it
experiences an initial cramping pain, which is called as Angina. Aptly termed as "a cry for help from the heart".
Symptoms Of
Heart Pain
The
centre of the chest experiences a discomfort or a dull pain brought on by
Angina usually subsides when
the precipitating action or event ceases.
-
Chest tightness
-
a heavy weight pressing on
the chest
-
hollow feeling
-
sweating
-
nausea
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shortness of breath or
light-headedness
These heart attack symptoms will occur
when the coronary arteries become narrow. Angina gives a warning that the coronary arteries are narrow and if
neglected, could well lead to a fatal heart attack.
Risk
factors:
Chest
pain of this type almost always indicates that the coronary arteries are
blocked.
It is more likely to be
experienced by ,
Precaution to be taken
Anyone with these risk
factors for heart disease who experiences angina must get themselves
checked by a doctor
Even doctors may not be sure
that this is angina, so blood tests and ECGs will be required.
Sometimes a special ECG taken
while exercising (exercise stress
ECG) will be required
Medications
Doctors have many medications that can help. Glyceryl Trinatrate (GTN spray on Anginine
tablets) helps relieve angina. Other tablets can dilate the coronary
arteries and improve blood flow to the heart muscle, while beta-blockers
can slow heart rate and reduce its demand for oxygen.
A daily dose of aspirin
reduces the clottability of blood and prevents clot formation in
narrowed arteries.
If the arteries to the heart
are significantly blocked, some form of surgery-
either Angioplasty (to
widen narrowed vessels) or
Bypass Grafting ( to
replace diseased vessels using normal arteries from the arm or chest
wall)- can be undertaken.
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Heart failure
Heart failure, also called as
congestive heart failure, is a condition
whereby the heart is so weak and it is not in a
position to pump enough blood.
Heart failure suggests that
the heart is so weak that it is likely to breakdown
and stop working at any moment.
since the basic function of the heart is to pump
oxygen - containing blood around the body," heart
failure" simply means that the heart is failing to
meet this demand. Blood circulation will be much
more sluggish.
This happens because the heart (a chamber made of
strong muscle that contracts over 100,000 times each
day) suffers some form of damage that weakens the
muscle
-
Damage may occur from a heart attack-the sudden
stopping of blood flow to a portion of heart
muscle damages it.
-
Repair effected to replace the dead muscle with
fibrous tissue, may leave the heart weakened and
unable to pump effectively.
-
Uncontrolled high blood pressure is dangerous-
the heart wears itself our pumping against a high
pressure gradient.
-
Too much alcohol can result in the heart muscle
becoming progressively flabby and unable to
contract forcefully (Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy)
Heart Failure Symptoms
Typical symptoms of heart failure are
Because adequate oxygen-carrying blood doesn't reach
the cells, they cannot function properly-making one
feel fatigued and lifeless.
Breathlessness occurs because the sluggish
circulation allows fluid to leak out of blood
vessels into the lung tissue, "water-logging" the
lungs which then cannot absorb oxygen from the
inspired air into the blood stream.
Medical care
Thanks to modern medical care many people now
survive heart attacks that would have killed people
50 years ago.
These survivors need ongoing medical care to
prevent the damaged heart from getting further
damaged and gradually failing.
managed properly, someone with heart failure can
look forward to many years of quality life. But if
neglected, it leads to repeated exacerbations
requiring expensive admissions to hospital.
Aim
The aim of treatment is to
The best treatment of course is
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prevention.
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having your blood pressure checked regularly and
keeping it uncontrolled.
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ensuring that you don't allow alcohol to damage
your heart
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treating heart failure requires also non-medical
methods - stay active with regular exercise
"within the limits of your capability" is
important to improve circulation- as is taking a
suitable salt free, anemia preventing, low fat
diet.
-
As for medicines, take the medications prescribed
for you. If some tablets don't agree with you,
don't stop taking them. Discuss the side effects
with your doctor because your doctor can often
provide an alternative
-
Some medications are designed to strengthen the
hearts pumping action, others to extract fluid
from the waterlogged lungs and feet. Certain
tablets replace vital electrolytes, others improve
blood flow to vital organs.
Practicing a healthy life style is
more important to avoid heart attack. Plan your
diets and have good eating habits. Do simple
exercises regularly and in this regard walking has
no substitute. Do not worry over unnecessary
things, have peace of mind and sound sleep. Have
regular medical check-up to prevent heart failure.
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Updates
Avoid potato chips and French fries
According to a study conducted in Poland acrylamide in foods may
increase the risk of heart disease. Potato chips and French fries
contain more acrylamide. The leading researcher Marek Naruszewicz said
that the participants who were ingested 157 micrograms of acrylamide
daily for 4 weeks showed adverse changes in oxidized LDL, antioxidants
and inflammatory markers. He clarified that further study is needed.
Meanwhile FDA and the food processing
industries are using advanced technologies to reduce acrylamide in
foods. Limit the intake of acrylamide by avoiding potato chips and
French fries to reduce the risk of heart attack.
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