What causes a heart attack?
A heart attack is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when blood flow to your heart stops due to a partial or total blockage. In most cases, the blockage is a buildup of fatty substances like cholesterol and plaque, which lead to narrow arteries (atherosclerosis).
Your risk of suffering from a heart attack can be caused by several traits, lifestyle choices, and health conditions. Heart attacks are often linked to:
- Being older, especially if you’re a man over 45 or a woman over 55
- Smoking cigarettes or chronic exposure to secondhand smoke
- Family or personal history of heart disease
- High blood pressure or high cholesterol
- Metabolic syndrome and diabetes
- Obesity or being overweight
As a woman, your risk of having a heart attack is also higher if you developed preeclampsia, or high blood pressure during pregnancy.
How do I know if I am having a heart attack?
A heart attack doesn’t always cause obvious signs or symptoms. You may have mild chest pain, or more severe chest pain that leaves you doubled over in pain. This pain can run down your arms and even spread into your back and neck. A heart attack can also cause:
- Chest tightness or pressure
- Nausea or indigestion
- Shortness of breath
- Lightheadedness
- Cold sweats
A heart attack can be life-threatening. Seek immediate emergency medical attention if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms.
What is the treatment for a heart attack?
After you’ve had a heart attack and completed any emergency medical treatment and related hospitalization, the goal of your treatment plan from Just Heart Cardiovascular Group Inc. is to prevent heart failure progression and a future heart attack.
Your heart attack treatment and prevention plan are likely going to include a combination of the following therapies:
- Smoking cessation
- Weight loss planning
- Angioplasty and stents
- Cardiac catheterization
- Peripheral artery disease testing and management
- High cholesterol and high blood pressure management
- Edema treatments, like diuretics, especially if you have leg swelling
- Cardiac rehabilitation and exercise regimen
- Effective diabetes control management
Dr. Ezeugwu is diligent about finding the right types of heart attack treatments for your needs, so you can preserve your heart health.
You can schedule your heart attack evaluation online with Just Heart Cardiovascular Group Inc., or you can call your most convenient office directly.
