Heart Attacks
One of the major implications that can be caused by heart disease is a heart attack. The definition of a heart attack is when oxygen-rich blood is suddenly blocked off to a section of the heart. This makes the heart unable to get oxygen, and if not restored, leads to the death of that section of the heart. (NIH, 2015) This can be caused in a few different ways.
The most frequent cause for a heart attack is coronary artery disease, which is further explained in the “What is Heart Disease?” section. The basic definition, though, is when plaque builds up in a person’s coronary arteries. Coronary arteries are the arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood to a person’s heart. (NIH, 2015) This gradual build-up of plaque in the arteries is known as atherosclerosis and takes place over the course of many years. The presence of plaque in the arteries is not enough to cause a heart attack, though. There needs to be a complete blockage of the coronal artery. This blockage can be caused by a rupture in the artery at an area of plaque. The rupture causes a blood clot to form on the surface of the plaque, which in turn, can completely block off the artery. If the blockage isn’t cleared soon after the heart attack, it can cause the portion of the heart fed by the artery to die. (NIH, 2015) This isn’t the only way a heart attack can occur, though. Coronary arteries that aren’t undergoing atherosclerosis can also be the cause of a heart attack by way of an arterial spasm. This spasm can constrict the artery to the point that it completely blocks off blood flow to a section of the heart. (AHA, 2016) Heart attacks are very serious events and can lead to even more severe complications. These complications include arrhythmias and heart failure. Arrhythmias are irregular heartbeats that can be fatal in some cases. (AHA, 2016) You can find more information about arrhythmias here. Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump blood at a high enough rate to keep up with the body’s needs. Heart attacks and the complications that come with them can be minimized, though, if it is treated quickly. This relies on keeping the public informed about what a heart attack looks or feels like and what to do if one takes place. Heart attacks have some tell-tale symptoms that occur along with them. Knowing them and responding quickly can be the difference between life and death. These common symptoms include chest pain or discomfort, upper body discomfort, and shortness of breath. (NIH, 2015) Chest pain often occurs in the center to left side of a person’s chest and is on and off. Anywhere in your upper body including arms, back, neck, shoulders, and jaw may also experience pain. (CDC, 2015) It is also important to know that shortness of breath can occur even when a person is not engaged in physical activity. These common signs along with cold sweats, unusual tiredness, nausea, and light-headedness can help a person realize that they are having a heart attack. (CDC, 2015) Another fact that is important is that heart attacks can vary from person to person and may lack many of the symptoms. It is important to always be cautious and call 9-1-1 immediately if there is a chance that you or someone is having a heart attack. |
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American Heart Association. (2016, June 1). About heart attacks. Retrieved October 16, 2016, from
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HeartAttack/AboutHeartAttacks/
About-Heart-Attacks_UCM_002038_Article.jsp#.WAQ29OArKhc
American Heart Association. (2016, June 1). Atherosclerosis [Image]. Retrieved from
http://watchlearnlive.heart.org/CVML_Player.php?moduleSelect=athero
Centers for Disease Control. (2015, August 15). Heart attack facts & statistics. Retrieved October
16, 2016, from http://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/heart_attack.htm
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2014, May 7). Animation: What is a heart attack? [Video
file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_BNEOjv-d0&feature=youtu.be
National Institutes of Health. (2015, June 22). What is a heart attack? Retrieved October 16, 2016,
from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/heartattack/
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HeartAttack/AboutHeartAttacks/
About-Heart-Attacks_UCM_002038_Article.jsp#.WAQ29OArKhc
American Heart Association. (2016, June 1). Atherosclerosis [Image]. Retrieved from
http://watchlearnlive.heart.org/CVML_Player.php?moduleSelect=athero
Centers for Disease Control. (2015, August 15). Heart attack facts & statistics. Retrieved October
16, 2016, from http://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/heart_attack.htm
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2014, May 7). Animation: What is a heart attack? [Video
file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_BNEOjv-d0&feature=youtu.be
National Institutes of Health. (2015, June 22). What is a heart attack? Retrieved October 16, 2016,
from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/heartattack/