There are two risk factors for a heart attack that are simply can not change: the advanced age and the family history of the condition.
However, you can manage an editable item. High blood pressure, defined as greater than 140/90 mmHg, damages the coronary arteries. The American Heart Association elaborated: «High blood pressure causes the coronary arteries that serve the heart to slowly narrow due to buildup of fat, cholesterol, and other substances collectively called plaque«.
known as atherosclerosiswhen arteries become hardened with plaque, blood clots are more likely to form.
If an artery becomes blocked due to plaque buildup or a blood clot, the blood supply to the heart is cut off.
If blood flow to the heart is temporarily restricted, chest pain occurs (ie, angina).
It is worth knowing that the longer the heart is deprived of oxygen and nutrients, which are in the blood supply, more muscle dies.
When parts of the heart muscle die, this is known as a heart attack, which can be fatal.
Not only that, the high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) can cause a heart attack in another way.
The hypertension forces the heart to work harder to pump blood throughout the bodyexplained the Mayo Clinic.
Overexertion causes the heart’s left ventricle to thicken, increasing the risk of a heart attack.
Symptoms of a heart attack:
- Chest pain
- Pain in other parts of the body.
- Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
- Perspiration
- Difficulty breathing
- Feeling sick (nausea) or vomiting.
- An overwhelming feeling of anxiety (similar to having a panic attack)
- Cough or wheeze.
«It is the general pattern of symptoms that helps determine if you are having a heart attack,» the NHS said.
If you suspect a heart attack, call 131 immediately and ask for an ambulance.
In the meantime, you are advised to avoid unnecessary strain on your heart.
To do so, you must Take an aspirin (if within arm’s reach), chew slowly, swallow and sit quietly and rest.
There is misconception that a person having a heart attack will be unconscious. this simply it isn’t true; many people may have had what is known as «silent heart attack«.
such an attack does not give rise to very painful symptomsso the damage to the heart may not be diagnosed.
Nevertheless, this is very riskysince having a heart attack increases the risk of another.
When people visualize a person falling to the ground, thinking it’s a heart attack, it’s actually cardiac arrest.
The NHS explained that cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops beating and the affected person:
- It will seem not to breathe
- won’t move
- Does not respond to any stimulus.
To save a life, the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) or chest compressions.