Heart attack, also known as Myocardial Infarction, is very common in the country. In fact, it is so random that it happens to people every 40 seconds. The heart is a muscle that needs proper nourishment with oxygen and this oxygen is supplied to the heart through the blood. When the arteries to a certain segment of the heart are collapsed or blocked, the oxygen supply to the heart is stopped and as a result, the heart muscles begin to die.

The risk increases for males over the age of 45 and for females over the age of 55 years. With age, inner walls of the arteries become narrower due to the deposits of fatty materials which are called plaque. When an area of this plaque breaks, some blood tends to stick around in the damaged segment of the artery and forms blood clots that prevent the easy flow of blood to the heart. This causes chest pain and ultimately results in a heart attack.

It is different from cardiac arrest as during a heart attack blood cannot reach the heart, whereas cardiac arrest is when the heart stops beating altogether due to some malfunctions in the heart. A heart attack is actually a “circulation” issue whereas cardiac arrest is an “electrical issue”.

Causes

• CHD or the coronary heart disease: It is the most common cause of an attack. The coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart get blocked due to the deposit of cholesterol in its inner walls, as a result, the arteries are narrowed down so much so that blood cannot flow easily through them and reach the heart, which triggers the attack. The survival of a person depends on how quickly he can be rushed to the hospital and seeks medical help.
• Hypoxia: This is a condition when there is a lack of oxygen in the blood. This happens when the lungs fail to function normally or when there is a CO poisoning due to which the heart receives un-oxygenated blood that damages the heart muscles, eventually triggering the attack.
• Drug misuse: Stimulant sand antidepressants like amphetamines, methamphetamines, and cocaine can cause serious damage to the coronary arteries as they narrow down rapidly restricting proper blood supply to the heart that triggers an attack. Death due to drug misuse is rampant in young adults in the country.

Symptoms
Heart attacks can be lethal so it is very important to identify the warning signs and seek medical help as early as possible. Chest pain and discomfort are the common early symptoms of an attack occurring.

Apart from this vomiting, nausea, shortness of breath, rapid, and irregular heartbeats, dizziness, restlessness, and feeling sweaty are the common symptoms that an attack may be occurring. The blockage in the arteries should not be left untreated for long, as this would lead to permanent heart damage. One should call 911 if he or any of his loved ones experience chest pain and discomfort. Consulting the GP for any advice whatsoever is also of utmost importance.

Treatment
The quicker the treatment can be initiated the better are the chances of recovery and success. Once the patients reach the hospital there are certain tests that need to be done immediately to assist with the diagnosis of the attack. Electrocardiograph or ECG, Chest X-ray, and the Cardiac Enzyme tests are the common treatments done for the diagnosis of the arrest. Then procedures like the Heart Bypass, Heart transplant, Angioplasty, Stent, Echocardiography, Cardiac Catheterization, Thrombolytic therapy, etc., are done depending on the severity of the attack. Anti-blood clotting drugs are also initiated to lessen the risk of the attack.