Most common warning symptoms of heart attack – Elets

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Though heart disease is a leading cause of death, it does not mean you have to accept it as your fate. Although you cannot change some risk factors such as family history, sex or age there are some key heart disease prevention steps you can definitely take.

We have observed increase incidence of heart attack, sudden cardiac arrest and death in young Indians. Heart attack can kill a person instantaneously during the first ever episode of chest pain. Even if the person survives the heart attack but gets delayed or improper treatment, he is left with permanent damage and poor quality of life. Correct treatment at the correct time is important, but even more important is reducing the risk and preventing heart diseases.

Preventing heart disease means to make smart choices now that will pay off the rest of your life.

Heart attack: Over the years, cholesterol/fat accumulates in the coronary arteries which can narrow the arteries supplying blood to the heart. The narrowed arteries are at higher risk for complete blockage from a sudden blood causing heart attack which can be life threatening.

Dont waitSeek help quickly during heart attack

Quick and timely action at the first sign of heart attack symptoms can save the life and limit damage to the heart. Time is Muscle: Every 10 minute delay to treatment i.e. angioplasty results in a 1% increase in rate of death. Rate of death is increased by 7.5% for every 30 mins delay. There is lack of awareness among the public about the signs & symptoms of heart attack and the appropriate treatment during the heart attack.

Some of the most common warning symptoms of a heart attack:

Other possible symptoms of a heart attack include:

Acting fast can save your life. Do not drive to the hospital by yourself or let someone else drive you. Call an ambulance so that the medical personnel from the hospital can begin life saving treatment on the way to the emergency room. A nitroglycerin pill should be taken only if your doctor has prescribed this type of treatment.

Gold standard treatment for heart attack is emergency angioplasty which has proven to be life saving, reducing the risk of death and long term damage to the heart muscles. This treatment requires skill and excellent hospital setup to provide timely and correct treatment.

Places where this facility is not available or cost is an issue, a clot busting injection or thrombolysis is given but the results are inferior to emergency angioplasty and quite a few patients end up having angioplasty even after this treatment. Correct treatment at the correct time is important, but even more important is reducing the risk and preventing heart diseases.

Prevention or reducing the risk of heart disease:

Sometimes what you dont know can kill you, but putting knowledge into action can save your life.

Sedentary life style, a poor diet and other bad habits can take their toll over the years. To keep their heart healthy during each decade of life, anyone at any age can benefit from simple steps.

It is important to know your family history. Having a relative with cardiac disease increases your risk, especially if the relative is a parent or sibling. That means you need to focus on the risk factors you can control to prevent yourself from heart disease. You can avoid cardiac problems in the future by adopting a healthy lifestyle today.

Here are few heart disease preventions or mantras to get you started as advised by American Heart Association.

(Disclaimer: Dr Nimit Shah, Consultant Cardiologist, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre. Views expressed are a personal opinion.)

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Most common warning symptoms of heart attack - Elets