Heart attack is a critical medical emergency which involves 100 % occlusion of any of the major three arteries supplying blood to heart muscles. It can strike any one without the person being prepared for it , with potentially life-threatening complications.
It is utmost important for blood supply to be restored before the muscles die which leads to weakness in pumping capacity of heart for ever because of which valve leaking , dangerous arrythmias like ventricular tachycardia , ventricular fibrillation .
Being aware of the warning signs and symptoms can have very important role in patients seeking medical help on time and life-saving measures. Studies have shown that the manifestations differ in men and women.
While chest pain is a common symptom for both genders, women may have subtler warning signs as nausea ( feeling like vomiting ), shortness of breath, and unusual fatigue in the days or weeks before the heart attack. Women are more likely to have atypical chest pain, which feels like burning or sharp sensation. On the other hand, most of men typically classic well known symptoms, including severe chest pain radiating to the arm or jaw. Prolonged complaints of gas , indigestion , back pain or epigastric pain not relieved by routine treatment should be able to cause doubt in minds of family members and patients.
Women experiencing a heart attack may experience cold sweats as a symptom.
Men mostly have the standard described chest pain or discomfort associated with a heart attack example Pain that Spreads to the Arm.
Men can also have shortness of breath during a cardiac event, similar to women. Men can also experience nausea or vomiting as a symptom.
Men may experience light-headedness or even faintness during a heart attack .
People should check BP before giving Sorbitrates because heart attack of right coronary artery or dominant left circumflex artery may cause dangerously low heart rate and low blood pressure . Always try to check heart rate by pulse oximetry or digital watch at home so that emergency can be sensed.
If after Angiography your doctor is telling that 1 artery is 100 % blocked , kindly allow doctor to open that artery , take opinions later. Delayed presentation can lead to accumulation of fluid in lungs , low Blood Pressure ( Cardiogenic Shock ), effect on kidneys and liver due to ischaemia and congestion . If patient is diabetic , patient s blood suger may go very high because of the stress .
Symptoms can vary from person to person. Therefore, it is important to call for medical help when you experience even a slight discomfort. Every passing minute is crucial in life saving.
The author is the Intraventional cardiologist at Sir Gangaram hospital New Delhi.