Heart Attack is a life-threatening condition due to blockade of blood supply to segments of the heart or entire heart. Heart attack can lead to severe damage of the heart or instantaneous death of the individual. The medical term for heart attack is myocardial infarction (MI), and heart attack occurs due to deposition of fat on the walls of arteries (atherosclerosis). 

This fat deposition makes the blood vessel smaller, which decreases the supply of blood via vessels or causes the blockage of vessels. It causes heart attack, which may be the cause of sudden death. It is quite necessary for an individual to undergo regular check-ups for the health of the heart and maintain the record of heart condition.  

There are numerous symptoms of heart attack, which one must never neglect and seek for medical care. There are numerous treatments for the condition as per the severity of condition.

What Happens During a Heart Attack?

Heart Attack is the condition that develops with the passage of time and may be due to one additional blockage of coronary arteries. The blockage of these coronary vessels can be on account of the fat deposit on these vessels due to blood pressure. The vessel may burst with high pressure or get obstructed by plague that creates blood clot. 

This condition halts the flow of blood that contains oxygen and nutrients for function, which causes tissue damage or necrosis of tissues. These can be treated immediately and blood supply of the heart as well as other muscles can be restored.

Also Read: Role of CT Scan in Heart Attack

Symptoms of Heart Attack

Chest Discomfort or Chest Pain

• This is one of the symptoms common for heart attack.
• Pressure sensation, chest tightness, heavy chest, squeezing chest etc.
• These may continue for minutes or keep recurring.
• These are the most common symptoms in men and women.

Shortness of Breath

• Person feeling very hard to breath.
• Feeling chest discomfort before shortness of breath.
• Can occur even without chest pain.

Person feeling pain in various body parts

• Person feeling very harsh pain and discomfort especially in arms, neck and can extend to stomach.
• This radiating pain is a major symptom of heart attack.

Person feeling Nausea and Vomiting

• Especially common in women.
• Nausea and vomiting can be with burning sensation of ingestion.

Person experiencing Dizziness or Lightheadedness

If a person does not feel well due to insufficient blood supply such as faint and dizziness.

Sudden weakness may be experienced by some patients.

Cold Sweat

Person experiencing sweats without any exercise is also one of the signs of heart attack.

Person’s skin may become clammy and has different sensation associated with skin.

Also Check: How Accurate is a CT Scan for Heart Blockage?

When To Go For Medical Help For Heart Attack Conditions?

Heart attack is extremely critical condition and require immediate medical care and these happen:

• Extremely severe chest pain, which persists for minutes
• Pain and discomfort extending to other areas of the body.
• Patient experiencing shortness of breath.
• Person experiencing excessive sweating, nausea and dizziness.

Which Tests Are Utilized for the Detection of a Heart Attack?

There are many diagnostic tests which are utilized to detect heart attacks and these are:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG): It is useful in identifying unusual heart beats or damage to the heart.
• Blood Tests for Heart Attack: There are numerous kinds of Blood tests employed for seeking heart attack
• Echocardiography: It identifies heart function and wall movement that may result in an abnormality.
• Coronary Angiography: It is employed for determining the status of blockage of the veins or arteries.
• CT scan: This assists in visualizing condition of heart.
• MRI Scan: This examination employs magnetic waves for detection of abnormalities of heart.

Conclusion

Heart attack is one of the lethal heart conditions which causes death. Heart attacks come suddenly and leave little for time to heal or to avoid death. It is imperative to monitor the heart status and always check the heart status. The clinical term for a heart attack is myocardial infarction (MI), and the condition results from the laying down of fat inside the walls of blood vessels (atherosclerosis). This fat deposition constricts the blood vessel which lowers the supply of blood by means of vessels or causes narrowing of vessels. 

This may result in heart attack, which can be the cause of sudden death. It is extremely necessary for an individual to opt for routine checkups for the health of the heart and maintain the record of heart condition. There are many tests that are utilized for the detection of heart condition and these are heart screen, MRI heart, CT heart etc.