Heart Attack: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention

Did you know this shocking fact that in India, 50% of heart attack patients are below the age of 40? Doctors and senior cardiologists warn that job insecurity and poor work-life balance are the factors that contribute to cardiovascular diseases and cardiac arrests. Hence, it is important for young and old people to understand the risk factors that lead to heart attack. Awareness about the symptoms, causes, treatment options, and prevention tips will help individuals take certain measures to prevent this life-threatening condition and live a healthy life.

So, what exactly is a heart attack? A heart attack is a medical condition in which a blood clot or plaque blocks the flow of blood to a part of the heart muscle. We all know that blood carries oxygen and other nutrients to all parts of our body. Due to a blockage, the blood cannot provide these important elements to the heart muscle. As a result, the heart muscle cells begin to die and get damaged.

With medical costs rising in India, treatment of cardiovascular and other diseases can be costly. So, ensure you have a health insurance policy for yourself and your family. Bajaj General Insurance provides coverage for hospitalisation, medicines, tests, surgery, etc. if you are diagnosed with heart conditions.

Symptoms of Heart Attack You Should Never Ignore

Sometimes a heart attack may strike suddenly. But in many people, the body already gives warning signs like recurrent chest pain that does not go away with rest. If you experience any of the following symptoms, immediately visit the doctor.

• Chest pain or discomfort: This is the most common symptom of a heart attack. The chest pain occurs in the centre or left side of your chest, and there is a constant pressure, squeezing, fullness, or discomfort in the chest area.
• Pain or discomfort in other areas: You may feel the pain in other areas as well, like in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach. 
• Shortness of breath: The heart cannot pump enough blood, and so blood can back up in the lungs. This buildup of fluid causes shortness of breath.
• Cold sweat: It occurs because the body understands that blood flow is compromised and as a stress response, releases sweat.
• Fatigue: Since the heart needs to work harder to pump blood, it leads to extreme tiredness.
• Nausea or vomiting: The digestive system is also affected as the heart is unable to pump enough blood.
• Dizziness: Our brain does not receive enough blood flow and hence the feeling of dizziness is experienced. 

What Are the Causes of Heart Attack?

1. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Plaque, or a fatty waxy substance, may build up in the inner walls of arteries. As a result, the arteries become hard and narrow. This is called Coronary Artery Disease (CAD); it restricts the flow of blood to the heart, causing a heart attack. But do you know what causes plaque in the arteries? Conditions like high cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes, and certain activities like smoking may injure the artery walls. When the arteries are damaged, our body sends substances like fats and cholesterol to repair them and over time, these substances accumulate leading to hardened plaque.

2. High Blood Pressure

When your blood pressure is consistently high, it can cause tiny tears and damage to the inner walls of the arteries. The substances sent by the body to repair these damaged areas build up plaque.

3. High Cholesterol

High levels of bad cholesterol along with fats lead to the formation of plaque which restricts the blood flow to the arteries.

4. Diabetes

Those who have uncontrolled diabetes or high sugar levels in the blood need to be aware. The high sugar level damages the walls and inner linings of arteries and makes them less flexible. The reduced flexibility allows plaque to build up.

5. Obesity

If you are obese or overweight, the heart is forced to pump more blood throughout your body. This makes the arteries less flexible, and fatty deposits start accumulating in them.

6. Smoking and Sedentary Lifestyle

When you smoke, the chemicals in cigarette smoke damage the inner lining of your arteries, while a sedentary lifestyle leads to weight gain, high cholesterol, diabetes, etc. all of which may lead to a cardiac arrest.

7. Stress

When we are stressed, our body produces hormones like adrenaline and cortisol which make the heart beat faster. This raises the blood pressure, and over time it damages the heart.

8. Genetics and Other Factors

A few people may inherit genes that make them more likely to develop high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, all of which contribute to coronary artery disease.

Treatment for Heart Attack

The focus of the treatment of heart attacks is to restore the blood flow and prevent further blood clots. Certain medications may be given immediately while medical procedures are performed to open the blocked arteries. Treatment for heart attack also involves long-term medications and changes in lifestyle.

• Immediate medications: Aspirin and other blood-clotting drugs may be given immediately. Oxygen therapy to restore the normal blood oxygen may also be performed.
• Medical procedures: A thin tube with a balloon may be inserted to open the arteries (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) or Angioplasty and Stenting), or a surgical procedure to create a new path to bypass the blocked arteries by using a blood vessel from another part of the body (Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)) may be performed.
• Long-term medications and changes in lifestyle: Long-term medications like blood thinners, blood pressure lowering drugs, and drugs to reduce cholesterol are usually prescribed after the medical procedure is complete. Making lifestyle changes like exercising moderately, eating a healthy diet, and quitting smoking are also important.

Prevention: How to Lower the Risk of Heart Attack?

While you can’t change certain risk factors like age or family history, there’s a lot you can do through everyday habits to keep your heart healthy.

1. Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet
   Eat fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, and avoid processed foods, sugary snacks, too much salt, and saturated fats.
2. Stay Active
   Walk regularly as it is the best exercise for your heart. You can also go for cycling, swimming, etc. to stay active.
3. Quit Smoking

If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do to take care of your heart. No matter how long you may have smoked, but quitting will still prove beneficial.

4. Manage Stress
   To reduce stress, practice activities like yoga, meditation, or even simple deep-breathing exercises.
5. Maintain a Healthy Weight
   A healthy BMI and a large waist circumference can be risky for your heart.
6. Keep Health Conditions Under Control
   Conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes can all affect heart health. Check these parameters regularly.

Conclusion

A heart attack is a medical emergency that needs timely treatment to reduce its impact. Understand the causes and take preventive steps to protect your heart and be aware of the warning signs. Treatment of a heart attack can be costly, especially with advanced procedures and long recovery periods. Get a health insurance policy from Bajaj General Insurance today to protect your finances. The right insurance policy also ensures that quality medical care is within your reach when you need it the most.

FAQs

What are the first signs of a heart attack?

The first signs of a heart attack are chest pain or pressure, discomfort spreading to the arm or jaw, shortness of breath, cold sweats, and nausea.

Can stress alone cause a heart attack?

Yes. Extreme stress can trigger a heart attack if someone already has heart disease or other risk factors.

Can heart attacks be prevented?

In many cases, yes. By managing conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes and by avoiding smoking and following a healthy lifestyle, the risk can be reduced significantly.

How soon should I get to the hospital if I suspect a heart attack?

Right away. The first hour, often called the “golden hour,” is critical for minimising damage to the heart.

Does health insurance cover heart attack treatment?

Most comprehensive health insurance plans, including those from Bajaj General Insurance, cover hospitalisation, surgeries, and medicines related to heart attack care.

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***Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet and is subject to changes. Please consult an expert before making any related decisions.