Post Heart Attack Symptoms

Post Heart Attack Symptoms, Panic Heart Attack Symptoms, Panic Attacks

A Myocardial infarction (MI or AMI for acute myocardial infarction) is more commonly known as a heart attack.These occur when the blood supply to part of the heart is interrupted causing some heart cells to die. This is most commonly due to occlusion (blockage) of a coronary artery following the rupture of a vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque.An unstable collection of white blood cells (especially macrophages and lipids (like cholesterol) collectively known as Athersclerotic plaque separate from the wall of an artery.The resulting ischemia (restriction in blood supply) and oxygen shortage, if left untreated for a sufficient period of time, can cause damage and/or death (infarction) of heart muscle tissue (myocardium).

Though symptoms of a Heart Attack do differ there are certain classic symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, pain in the arm, back and neck, and a growing sense of anxiety (also known as impending doom). Fewer classic symptoms are often experienced by women with shortness of breath, indigestion and fatigue being most common.Approximately one quarter of all myocardial infarctions are silent, without chest pain or other symptoms.Prompt treatment for a Myocardial infarction is essential if the patients chances of survival are to be maximised. Minutes and seconds are vital here and time is not to be wasted.

It is not to be taken lightly as death from Heart Disease and attacks is one of the largest causes of death in the world.Important risk factors are previous cardiovascular disease (such as angina, a previous heart attack or stroke), older age (especially men over 40 and women over 50), tobacco smoking, diet and exercise.

Other factors also include high blood levels of certain lipids (triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein or “bad cholesterol”) and low levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL, “good cholesterol”), diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, excessive alcohol consumption, the abuse of certain drugs (such as cocaine and methamphetamine), and chronic high stress levels.

Included in amongst immediate treatment for a suspected or acute heart attack is increased oxygen, the introduction of aspirin and also a liquid form of nitroglycerin known as sublingual glyceryl trinitrate.The more classic form of pain relief is administered involving quite often morphine sulphate.