Heart attack? Me? When?

Tag : Arm Blood Pressure Monitor
What is a silent heart attack?

Most people erroneously assume that all heart attacks are alwayspreceded by a series of symptoms such as chest pain, pain in theleft arm, passing out etc. However, a heart attack can also besymptomless as is the case with a silent heart attack.

Also, despite the fact that it offers little or no warning signs, asilent heart attack is still life-threatening. Silent heart attackstend to be associated with an adverse clinical outcome because theyoften go undetected.

This increases the chances of the underlying heart disease becomingmore advanced and causing another, more serious heart attack andtherefore the first and only symptom of a silent heart attack couldbe sudden death.

As far as the physiology is concerned, a silent heart attack('myocardial infarction' in medical terms) is no different from aheart attack, wherein a section of the heart does not receiveblood. This lack of blood flow can cause the heart tissue to scarand even die.
NO WARNING SIGNS?

As the name suggests, such heart attacks are symptomless in mostcases. However, sometimes they may be accompanied by certainatypical signs such as...

• Sweating, dizziness and nausea

• Headache

• Pallor (unnatural discolouration) of the skin

• Nervousness and anxiety

• A feeling of fullness in the center of the chest

• Mild pain in the arms

• Breathlessness while doing routine physical activities such aswalking to the bus-stop etc.

Usually such symptoms are mild and subside within a short span oftime. Hence, most people put it down to momentary stress and don'tdeem it necessary to visit a doctor.
HOW CAN YOU DETECT IT?

By and large, silent heart attacks are picked up when the patientundergoes an ECG for some other unrelated complaint. For athorough diagnosis, a careful study of medical history, testingblood for cardiac enzymes, a stress test or wearing a Holtermonitor (a battery-operated machine that measures and records yourelectrocardiogram continuously, for 24-48 hours) is required.Certain advanced tests such as an echocardiogram, coronaryangiography may also be advised in certain cases.
BIG DEAL? YES!

Not to forget, the most difficult aspect of treating patients whohave suffered a silent attack is that they are not pro-activethemselves when it comes to treatment. Since they haven'texperienced symptoms, they tend to take it very lightly, or thinkdoctors are making a big deal or a quick buck.

Then, there are others who feel they don't need treatment, nomatter what has happened to their heart, since they can 'see theyare healthy'. Fact is, those who have suffered from silent heartattack need to be all the more proactive in their treatmentapproach.
THE HIGH RISK GROUP

You're more likely to have a silent heart attack if you…

• are above 65 years of age

• are diabetic

• suffer from high blood pressure

• have high cholesterol levels

• are obese

• lead a sedentary lifestyle

• smoke regularly

• have suffered a prior heart attack or stroke
TREATMENT

A heart attack is a medical emergency. Delaying treatment can meanlasting damage to your heart or even death. The sooner yourtreatment begins, the better your chances of recovering almostcompletely.

Thrombolytic drugs or clot-busters are used to dissolve blood clotsthat are blocking blood flow to the heart. When given soon after aheart attack begins, these drugs can limit or prevent permanentdamage to the heart. To be most effective, these drugs need to beadministered within one hour from the commencement of the attack.

Treatment measures also involve angioplasty to unclog the blockedarteries or a coronary artery bypass surgery wherein arteries orveins from other areas in your body are used to bypass the blockedarteries.
HOW YOU CAN PREVENT IT

• Several studies have shown the ill-effects of tobacco on theheart. Even passive smoking can damage heart health. A good placeto begin when it comes to protecting your heart, would be to giveup smoking completely

• Stress levels which are extremely high in metros such as Mumbaineed to be combated. Regular practice of yoga and pranayam, canhelp relieve stress and thereby protect the heart

• Binging on foods that are high in saturated fats leads toincreased cholesterol levels, which in turn harm the heart. Try tocut down on your intake of fat by giving those fried foods a miss.Instead, switch to foods rich in fiber such as porridge, beans,lentils, pulses, nuts, fruits, vegetables etc, as they can helplower your cholesterol

• Regular exercise also has a beneficial effect on the heart

• After the age on 35, it is necessary to go in for an ECG, stresstest, lipid profile, sugar tests at least once in two years.