What is a Heart Attack
A heart attack may be described medically as a myocardial infarction (MI).
You might also hear the following: 1. Myocardial infarction suddenly (AMI)
2.Rapid heartbeat syndrome (ACS)
3.Arterial thrombosis
These words describe modifications to the heart muscle (myocardium) brought on by a deficiency of blood and oxygen. The heart muscle dying is the key modification.
A heart attack in which the entire thickness of the heart muscle is damaged is referred to as a STEMI.
NSTEMI - A heart attack in which only a portion of the heart muscle is affected.
Signs of a Heart Attack: Differentiating From Other Heart Problems
The heart is a remarkably resilient organ. It has to pump at an intensity of 80-90% of its capacity every day without fail. Thankfully, the human body comes equipped with fail-safe mechanisms to alert us in the event that something goes awry. The most common way for the heart to let us know something’s not right is through chest pain, or angina as it is more commonly known. If you have experienced crushing chest pain before, chances are you had angina (probably brought on by exercise). This article will explain what angina is and how it differs from various other types of heart problems; more specifically: cardiac arrhythmias, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and pulmonary hypertension. If any of these conditions sound familiar or if you experience some symptoms listed below, consult your doctor immediately as they could be indicators of a serious underlying condition.
What is Angina?
Angina is a condition that causes a person to experience discomfort or pain in the chest. The most common symptom is chest pain. Angina can occur when your heart muscle is not getting enough blood, which is typically due to narrowed arteries that feed the heart. The pain of angina is different from what people experience with a heart attack (also called myocardial infarction or MI). For example, people with angina may have pain in the chest that is similar to what you feel when you have indigestion, burning sensations, or pain that feels like pressure or squeezing in the center of the chest. People who have angina may also have shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, or a feeling of anxiety. When you are experiencing angina, your heart is not getting enough oxygen-rich blood, which causes the pain. You may have angina if you experience any type of discomfort in your chest that is worse during physical activity, when you are in a cold environment, or when you are lying down. Angina may feel like squeezing, pressure, or a heavy weight in your chest. It may also feel like pressure or tightness in your shoulders, neck, arms, back, or abdomen.
Cardiac Arrhythmias
Cardiac arrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythms. They can lead to heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, and/or a heart attack. Some common types of arrhythmias are atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and ventricular tachycardia. Arrhythmias are often seen as warning signs for a heart attack, although not always. They can also be caused by electrolyte imbalances, medication side effects, heart disease, blood clots, or genetic issues. If you are experiencing heart palpitations and you have not been diagnosed with heart disease, consult your doctor to rule out cardiac arrhythmias. If you have been diagnosed with heart disease and experience heart palpitations, see a cardiologist as soon as possible.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetic heart condition that causes the heart muscle to thicken. People who have HCM may not experience any symptoms or they may have a heart attack early in life. HCM is often diagnosed during a routine physical or a doctor may discover the condition when they perform an EKG during a routine checkup. Certain heart tests, such as an echocardiogram or an MRI, can also reveal HCM. If you are diagnosed with HCM, it is important to follow your doctor’s treatment plan and take your prescribed medication to reduce your risk for a heart attack.
Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension is a condition in which the blood flow in the arteries of the lungs is abnormally high. This condition can lead to shortness of breath, fatigue, heart failure, and rarely, a heart attack. Pulmonary hypertension is caused by an underlying condition, such as an inflammation of the lungs or a blood clot or coagulation in the lungs. It is possible to experience a heart attack with pulmonary hypertension, but the likelihood is low. If you are experiencing shortness of breath, fatigue, or other symptoms that linger for more than two weeks, speak to your doctor immediately.
Summary
The heart is a remarkable organ. It is essential for survival and living a healthy lifestyle. It goes without saying that when something goes wrong with the heart, it’s serious. The most common way for the heart to let you know something is wrong is through chest pain, or angina, as it’s more commonly known. If you have experienced crushing chest pain before, chances are you had angina brought on by exercise. If any of the conditions listed above sound familiar or if you experience any of the symptoms listed, seek medical attention immediately.
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