Heart attacks Symptoms and Prevention

1. Heart attacks – Symptoms and Prevention Why does a heart attack happen? A heart attack happens when the flow of oxygen-rich blood suddenly gets blocked in a section of heart muscle and the oxygen doesn’t reach the heart as a result of which the heart muscle begins to die. Most of the time heart attacks happen because of coronary heart disease (CHD). It is a condition in which a waxy substance called plaque builds up inside of the coronary arteries. Symptoms: • Chest pain that feels like pressure, squeezing, or fullness. The pain is usually in centre of the chest. It may also be felt in the jaw, shoulder, arms, back, and stomach. It can last for more than a few minutes, or come and go. • Cold sweat • Light-headedness • Numbness, aching, or tingling in the arm (usually the left arm, but the right arm may be affected alone, or along with the left) • Shortness of breath Women are more likely to have these kinds of heart attack symptoms: • Unusual fatigue • Shortness of breath • Nausea or vomiting • Dizziness or light-headedness • Abdominal discomfort that may feel like indigestion • Discomfort in the neck, shoulder, or upper back First aid: If you or someone around you is experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack, remember to do the following: • Make the person sit down and relax. • If the person takes any medication for a known heart condition, make sure he takes it. • If the pain doesn’t go after resting and the medication, call for emergency medical help • If the person is unconscious or unresponsive, call for a help and then begin CPR • If an infant or child is unconscious or unresponsive, give CPR for 1 minute and then call for help.

2. Prevention: Adults should take important precautions to avoid heart diseases. • Make changes in your diet. Eat a heart-healthy, balanced diet. One should eat limited saturated fats, red meat and sugars. Intake of chicken, fish, fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains should be increased. • Watch your weight! Lose weight if you’re obese or overweight. • Blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes should be in good control. • Quit smoking. It more than doubles the chance of developing heart diseases. • Start exercising! Physical activity is very good for a healthy life. Choose yoga, dance, running or any other type of exercise and start getting healthy. • Intake of alcohol should be very limited. DO NOT • Do NOT leave the person alone except to call for help, if necessary. • Do NOT allow the person to deny the symptoms and convince you not to call for emergency help. • Do NOT wait to see if the symptoms go away. • Do NOT give the person anything by mouth unless a heart medication (such as nitro-glycerine) has been prescribed. An average person waits for 3 hours before seeking help for symptoms of a heart attack and they die before they reach a hospital. Medical help should be provided to a person as soon as possible which increases the chance of survival and reduces the amount of heart damage. Health care at home India is the best home health care service provider around india. We have a team of qualified doctors and skilled experts that helps in delivering the best home health care facilities. Contact us for the best medical service at your door end. We have a wide-ranging service for the patients. Our services includes- Home Nutrition Services, ICU at Home, Home Physiotherapy Services, Home Pulmonology Services, Home Cardiac Care, Home Oncology Services, Post Surgical Care, Everyday Care, Specialist Services.