Heart Attack – Types, Causes, Treatment & Recovery

In recent years, India has seen an increase in the number of heart attack and cardiac arrest-related deaths, especially among people between the ages of 30 to 50. Although there are no official statistics available, it is estimated that 1.6 – 1.8 million individuals pass away in the nation each year from heart attacks or other cardiovascular diseases. Young men make up a greater percentage of the fatalities than women of the same age group. But, what is a heart attack and why are many deaths from heart attacks?

What is a Heart Attack?

When an artery that supplies the heart with oxygenated blood is obstructed, a heart attack takes place. Atherosclerosis plaque known as a thrombus, which forms on the arterial wall as a result of mostly high cholesterol levels, fats and high blood pressure, blocks the artery.

When one of those plaques bursts, a clot begins to develop over it, enlarging the plaque. The related symptoms, such as a crushing central chest ache extending to the jaw or arm, vomiting and nausea and a general sensation of impending doom would appear if it completely stops the artery, resulting in a heart attack.

What causes a Heart Attack?

Risk factors that are inherited or hereditary in nature cannot be changed, but they can be managed medically and by a change in lifestyle. Acquired risk factors are brought on by lifestyle choices that we make and can be treated with medical care and lifestyle adjustments. The symptoms of these are generally experienced by:

● People who drink excessive amounts of alcohol

● People that consume a lot of saturated fat

● Diabetic type 2 patients

● Those who live sedentary lives

● Those who are at least 30% overweight

● Individuals who have a family history of heart problems also probably share settings and other elements that could raise their risk.

Types of Heart Attacks

1. Coronary artery spasm

The least serious kind of ACS, based on the NHS, is unstable angina. With proper care, the likeliness of lasting heart damage becomes low. However, unstable angina continues to be a medical emergency. This is due to the possibility that it may drastically restrict blood flow to the heart and result in a STEMI.

2. STEMI

The deadliest sort of heart attack is a STEMI (ST segment elevation myocardial infarction). It may result in the heart’s blood supply being cut off for an extended length of time. When at minimum, one coronary artery is blocked by a blood clot, STEMI occurs. Due to the lack of blood, the heart muscle may become damaged.

3. NSTEMI

NSTEMI (non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction) is brought on by a partial obstruction of the blood supply. NSTEMI is viewed as less threatening than STEMI by clinicians. This is due to the fact that NSTEMI only affects a smaller portion of the heart and only results in partial blockage.

NSTEMIs still qualifies as a medical emergency and needs prompt attention. NSTEMI may progress to STEMI, which is a more severe stage of cardiac damage. It could even cause death if left untreated.

Treatment

All heart problems require rapid medical intervention, regardless of the reason. The type of coronary artery disease will determine the method of treatment. Medical personnel would typically start treating patients right away before figuring out what type of or how severe the attack is. This therapy might include:

● Oxygen treatment, nitroglycerin to enhance blood flow, and aspirin to prevent further blood clotting are all used to treat chest pain.

● More treatment might be required to increase blood flow once the type of heart attack has been identified by a specialist. This can be accomplished with medicine when the underlying coronary artery disease is not severe.

● Occasionally, the surgery will also involve inserting a stent. This tiny metal object is intended to stop further obstructions.

● In severe circumstances, surgery might be required. A coronary artery bypass is the most popular method that includes transferring a blood vessel from another part of the body to the blocked artery. The additional vessel will let blood get through the obstruction and go to the heart.

Recovery

A myocardial infarction recovery period might last anywhere between two weeks and three months. You will be able to go back to work and your regular schedule once you have fully recovered. Your recuperation time will vary depending on a variety of circumstances, such as:

● How intensive your heart attack was

● How soon you received the care

● The method of treatment

● Your general health as well as any other illnesses

You can find out how long your recovery might take by speaking to your healthcare practitioner.

You might feel worn out or weak the first week after discharge from the hospital which is normal. It’s because your heart needs time to heal after the heart attack destroys its muscle. Additionally, you are getting used to getting out of bed after a long time of bed rest, so take your time and gradually resume your regular routines. The doctor will guide you about when it is safe to drive, to go back to work, and to start engaging in more strenuous activities. Take note of these recommendations. Avoid pushing yourself too hard too soon.

Follow any extra restrictions that are necessary. Your doctor could advise additional temporary activity limits if you undergo a heart catheterization followed by a heart attack in order to stop bleeding at the catheterization site(s) or sites during the catheterization.

Shalby Hospitals – The Best Heart Treatment Hospital in Ahmedabad

Shalby Hospitals, the best heart hospital in Ahmedabad provides the patients that experience a heart attack or a heart blockage with top-notch cardiac care. The hospital provides thorough heart care treatment at affordable costs. Modern cardiac care facilities are available at Shalby Hospitals to treat any cardiac issue. With the aid of the most recent advancements in medical

electronics technology and full-time cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, and cardiothoracic surgeons (CTVS); this centre is among the best in the nation for treating heart attacks and blockages.

Shalby, also regarded as the best heart hospital in Ahmedabad, provides prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation for everyone from infants to adults. In addition to the above-listed programs, Shalby Hospitals also provides a few unique programs that cater to minimally invasive valve replacement procedures. For example, wake cardiac surgery, key-hole surgery, and bypass surgery, or beating heart coronary artery grafting.

Schedule an appointment for cardiovascular surgery and care at the top hospital in India.