Heart attack | HealthInfi

Overview

Heart attacks most often occur as a result of coronary heart disease (CHD), also called coronary artery disease. CHD is a condition in which a waxy substance called plaque builds up inside the coronary arteries. These arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart.

When plaque builds up in the arteries, the condition is called atherosclerosis. The buildup of plaque occurs over many years.

Eventually, an area of plaque can rupture (break open) inside of an artery. This causes a blood clot to form on the plaque’s surface. If the clot becomes large enough, it can mostly or completely block blood flow through a coronary artery.

If the blockage isn’t treated quickly, the portion of heart muscle fed by the artery begins to die. Healthy heart tissue is replaced with scar tissue. This heart damage may not be obvious, or it may cause severe or long-lasting problems.

A less common cause of heart attack is a severe spasm (tightening) of a coronary artery. The spasm cuts off blood flow through the artery. Spasms can occur in coronary arteries that aren’t affected by atherosclerosis.

Heart attacks can be associated with or lead to severe health problems, such as heart failureand life-threatening arrhythmias. Heart failure is a condition in which the heart can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. Arrhythmias are irregular heartbeats. Ventricular fibrillation is a life-threatening arrhythmia that can cause death if not treated right away.

What to do if your heart hurts? It is good if it happens at home or at public place, with other people around and they can help. But, unfortunately, circumstances are often unfavorable. How to help yourself if none is nearby, and any medications or phone are just not available?

Alas, today even young people of 25-30 age group are under the risk of heart attack, especially in big cities: life is full of stress, plus smoking, alcohol, all these factors worsen heart state. Let’s assume that the conflict situation happen with you at work. Then you drive a car and suddenly feel the chest pain. To the nearest hospital it is 5km, and it is unlikely to reach over there in such state … It is better to stop immediately: accidents happen often because of heart attack with a driver.

Let’s consider another case. You are walking in the forest or in the village. None is nearby, and surely, any medications are available. However, even if you do not see anyone, call someone, probably somebody nevertheless will hear you.

Let’s assume that you are alone at home. You will not be able to leave your apartment and to call your neighbor if you fail to reach drugs. Neighbors hardly will hear you even if you shout through a window. Even, having called emergency you will have to wait it at least twenty minutes, and in the city it may take about one hour. But anyway you are recommended to call emergency. At heart attack an individual quickly weakens because of heart-work disorders. There are only 10 seconds before fainting. In these situations an urgent artificial respiration is recommended. But, even if you can do it, you need another person’s help for this procedure. But he may feel panic. This may lead to fatal outcome despite a chance to save own life! Read More