How to Survive a Heart Attack

A Heart Attack happens when the flow of Oxygen-Rich Blood to a section of Heart Muscle suddenly becomes blocked and the Heart is not able to receive Oxygen. If the Blood flow is not restored quickly, that particular section of Heart Muscle begins to die.

 
Heart Failure is a condition in which the Heart can’t pump enough Blood to meet the needs of the Body.

The Scientific Name of Heart Attack is ‘Myocardial Infarction’ or MI. ‘Myo’ means Muscle, ‘Cardial’ means Heart and ‘Infarction’ means Death of a Tissue due to lack of Blood Supply.

When certain fatty Deposits form along the Walls of the Blood Vessels that lead to the Heart, the Blood Vessels narrow in size. These Deposits can become so thick that they stop the flow of Oxygen-Rich Blood to the Heart Muscle and Blood begins to clot in the surrounding Areas. This results in a Heart Attack. The Attack can result in a disability or death.

 
Risk Factors:

a) Previous Cardiovascular Disease
b) Old Age
c) Tobacco Smoking
d) Cholesterol Saturation
e) Diabetes
f)  High Blood Pressure
g) Lack of Physical Activity
h) Obesity
i) Chronic Kidney Disease
j) Excessive Alcohol Consumption
k) Consumption of Drugs
l) High Stress Levels

Symptoms:

a) Chest Discomfort/Mild Pain – As per a Study, around one-fifth of younger Women (those aged upto 55 years), having a Heart Attack experience no Chest Pain.
b) Coughing
c) Nausea
d) Vomiting
e) Dizziness
f) Heartburn
g) Shortness of Breath
h) Grey Face
i) Restlessness
j) Lots of Perspiration

When somebody has a Heart Attack, the Pain is usually felt in the Chest first. It later spreads to the Neck, Jaw, Ears, Arms and Wrists. It can also be felt at Shoulders, Back and Abdomen. Patients generally describe the Pain as a kind of Pressure inside the Chest. It can last for a few Minutes to some Hours.

The following are some First Aid Tips to apply if you witness anybody suffering from a Heart Attack around you:

a) Relax & don't Panic
b) Loosen Tight Clothes
c) Make the Person Cough  deeply as it can bring the Heart Beat to normal
c) Call Doctor immediately
d) Give Artificial Respiration, if required
e) If you are trained in CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), apply that.

The First 24 hours after an Attack are very crucial and is a time of highest risk for sudden Cardiac Death. First Six hours are crucial in limiting the damage to the Heart Muscles.

Tips to prevent Heart Attack:

a) Go for routine Health Check-ups
b) Try to avoid Stress as-much-as possible
c) Quit Alcohol/Smoking
d) Eat sensibly and Nutritious Food
e) Control Diabetes/Blood Pressure
f)  Control Weight

The above are some basic Lifestyle Habits we all need to Cultivate in order to prevent ourselves from this Life-threatening incident. Every year since 2000, the last Sunday of September is celebrated as World Heart Day (WHD), a Movement created and promoted by World Heart Federation.
 
Most people are able to return to their normal Schedule, within a few Weeks, after a Heart Attack who had an uncomplicated one. However, regular Check-ups, Tests, strict adherence to Lifestyle changes, taking Medications as prescribed by Doctor are very essential to prevent Future Attacks.

Be Safe and Sound for you and your Family.

Regards,

Pragya Banerjee
MBA (Finance); 7+ years of work experience
email: pragyasonal@gmail.com
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