Heart attack and 9 things you need to know

 

1. What is myocardial infarction?

In the heart structure, two large coronary arteries have the role of supplying oxygen to the heart muscle. When one of the large arteries or small branches is suddenly blocked, a part of the heart will be deprived of oxygen. This condition is called myocardial ischemia.

According to experts, if not treated in time, this condition will lead to a heart attack. A heart attack is a severe medical emergency and should be treated as quickly as possible.

2. Heart attack symptom list

• Shortness of breath.
• Jaw pain.
• Back-ache.
• Headache.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.

Note:

Not everyone has the same symptoms of a heart attack. The pain can often be mild and mistaken for other conditions, including indigestion.

Women are more likely to experience other symptoms, especially shortness of breath, nausea, back or jaw pain.

3. Is myocardial infarction dangerous? List of complications of myocardial infarction

Complications of a heart attack are often severe and can be life-threatening.

Heart arrhythmia

This is an abnormal heart rhythm. Common arrhythmias are supraventricular arrhythmias, including sinus tachycardia, sinus bradycardia, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation. Moreover, this complication can cause the heart to stop beating at any moment.

Atrioventricular blocks

This complication is commonly divided into 3 different levels, with grade 3 being complete heart block, very bradycardia with ventricular escape rhythm. What makes these complications so dangerous is that they come on very suddenly and are potentially fatal.

Complications of pump failure

The most severe form of pump failure is “cardiogenic shock”. If the systolic blood pressure is less than 90 mmHg, the patient will have oliguria, anuria, confusion, pale extremities, cold and wet, acidosis, sometimes manifested by periodic breathing (breathing at intervals).

Mechanical complications

Mechanical complications include rupture of the free ventricular wall, perforation of the interventricular septum, ventricular wall aneurysm/pseudoaneurysm, and mitral regurgitation. They usually occur during the first week after a heart attack.

Thrombosis, thromboembolic complications

What makes these complications so dangerous is that they pose a high risk of recurrent myocardial infarction, leading to extensive necrosis or additional myocardial necrosis in a new macrovascular embolism. The condition will get worse if the patient lies for too long or abuses diuretics.

Other early complications

Among the early complications, sudden death is the most severe complication. This complication occurs due to rupture of the heart (most common), arrhythmias, cardiogenic shock, massive pulmonary embolism, coronary embolism in the left coronary artery.

Late complications of myocardial infarction

Dressler syndrome occurs late (at weeks 3-10), also known as post-myocardial infarction syndrome, post-cardiac injury syndrome, and post-pericardial syndrome.

• Fever, chest pain when taking a deep breath.
• Increased white blood cells.
• Ventricular bulge.
• Chest pain.
• Heart failure.
• Inflammation around the shoulder joint.

5. How to prevent or support heart attack treatment at home?

Today, with the advancement of medicine, up to 80% of early heart attacks and strokes are preventable. Besides, experts also note that following a healthy lifestyle also helps to reduce the complications of a heart attack.

Healthy diet

You should eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, fish and pulses with salt, sugar and minimize the use of unhealthy fats. In addition, alcohol should also be consumed in moderation:

• For men: no more than 3 units of alcohol/day
• For women: no more than 2 units of alcohol/day

Do regular physical activity

You should do at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day. You do not need to do exercises that are too heavy. Instead, cycling, walking, aerobic ... will be the subjects that help maintain cardiovascular fitness and help improve general health.

Avoid using tobacco

Not only smokers, but even exposure to secondhand smoke is dangerous to the cardiovascular system. However, the risk of heart attack and stroke decreases immediately after a person stops using tobacco products and can be halved after 1 year.

6. How to detect disease?

Suppose symptoms such as pain, pressure or tightness in the chest, shortness of breath during physical exertion and disappear after sitting. In that case, you are at a very high risk of cardiovascular disease. At this time, you need to perform cardiovascular screening immediately to prevent or have suitable control methods (if any).

Myocardial infarction

 

When any signs of cardiovascular disease appear, you should go to a medical facility to check them.

7. Items to be done when early screening for myocardial infarction and myocardial ischemia

Based on symptoms and examination: Consider the examiner's recent unusual signs. At the same time, other factors affecting the cardiovascular system were studied, such as family history, physical fitness assessment, weight and height measurement, body mass index calculation, etc.

Electrocardiogram ECG: Used to monitor the activity, speed and rhythm of the heart.

Blood tests: Determine the risk of coronary heart disease through blood test parameters related to cholesterol (good/bad) and triglycerides.

Echocardiography: Assesses the structure and functioning of the heart, thereby being able to detect abnormalities in the heart muscle, heart valves, irregular rhythms and sizes.

Stress ECG: The examiner will perform exercise exercises (walking on a rolling mat or stationary bicycle) to show how well the heart works during physical activity.

8. Methods of treatment and prevention of events

Control of risk factors: Control of risk factors plays a significant role in treating and preventing events caused by myocardial infarction. It is best to exercise regularly, eat good foods for the heart, avoid drinking too many alcoholic drinks and do other activities as prescribed by your doctor.

Taking medication to prevent events: Currently, many drugs support the treatment of myocardial infarction, such as aspirin (anticoagulant), beta-blockers (lower blood pressure), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (help lower blood pressure). And protect the heart muscle). However, to minimize the side effects and help the drug be highly effective, you should only use it when prescribed by your doctor.

PCI coronary stenting: This is a treatment for common cardiovascular diseases caused by narrowing the coronary arteries. PCI coronary stenting will help restore coronary perfusion. PCI coronary stents can range from 2 years to permanent, depending on the type of stent used.

CABG bypass surgery: CABG bypass surgery connects the aorta to the coronary artery after the stenosis to supply oxygenated blood to the ischemic myocardium and ensure blood flow to the heart. This improves symptoms, reduces the need for medication, and prolongs the patient's life.

The Cardiology Department of CarePlus Clinic System has experienced specialists and new generation equipment for early cardiovascular disease screening, such as Holter ECG Bittium Faros, Stress ECG, Color Doppler Echocardiography, and many other modern types of equipment. Thereby helping to diagnose the disease correctly and limit the use of drugs. At the same time, the doctors at CarePlus also consult carefully so that customers understand the condition and actively participate in the treatment.

Especially in emergency hospitalization, we can support consultation and contact significant hospitals such as People's Hospital 115, Heart Institute of Ho Chi Minh City, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Children's Hospital, etc. Inpatient treatment is most convenient.

9. What to do when you or someone else shows symptoms of a heart attack?

Should

• Use medications prescribed by your doctor if you have been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease.
• Call an ambulance.
• If you have learned first aid, you should do it right away.

Should not

• Try to give first aid if you are not trained, as it can make the condition worse.
• Let someone with symptoms drive because the risk of causing an accident is very high.
• Arbitrarily taking drugs without the approval of a specialist

Myocardial infarction is very dangerous because of its high mortality rate and severe complications. However, the disease can completely prevent or reduce complications with a healthy lifestyle and regular cardiovascular screening as prescribed by the doctor.

For advice on the details of the cardiology package as well as how to make an appointment, please contact:

• Hotline: 1800 6116
• Email: info@careplusvn.com
• Fanpage: CarePlus Clinic Vietnam

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