A heart attack, also known as myocardial infarction, is a severe medical condition when the heart muscle (arteries) is severely damaged and is unable to function because of a lack of blood supply. This lack of blood supply is mainly caused by blockage in one or two arteries. If the heart muscle is not supplied with blood immediately, it may lead to death.
Types of Heart Attack
The different types of heart attacks are as follows.
- St-evaluation myocardial infarction or STEMI: A condition where the coronary artery is completely blocked, which leads to a heart attack.
- Non-St-evaluation myocardial infarction or NSTEMI: When the coronary artery is narrowed, it reduces the blood supply, which causes a heart attack.
- Myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries or MINOCA: When there is no blockage in the main coronary arteries, but you still get a heart attack, that condition is known as MINOCA.
Symptoms of Heart Attack
People suffering from heart disease may show warning signs or symptoms, while others show no signs at all. Initially, people feel pain in the chest, discomfort or heaviness, shortness of breath, and sweating.
The common heart attack symptoms include.
- Angina or chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Insomnia
- Nausea or stomach discomfort
- Coughing or wheezing
- Feeling lightheaded
- Feeling anxious constantly
If you suffer from these symptoms, we recommend you consult a heart specialist in Delhi.
Risk factors for a Heart Attack
The various risk factors that can cause Heart attack are as follows.
- The risk of heart attack increases as one grows older.
- Gender also influences when the risk of heart attack increases. For example, for assigned males at birth, the risk of heart attack rises at the age of 45, and for assigned females at birth, it increases after menopause or at the age of 50.
- Genetics is also one of the significant factors that increase the risk of heart attack. If your first-degree relatives are diagnosed with heart attack, then you are likely to get affected by this because of the same genetics.
- Smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol, and no physical activities can cause the risk of getting a heart attack; that is why it is essential to follow a healthy lifestyle.
Major Causes of Heart Attack
A heart attack is a life-threatening emergency that is caused due to the lack of blood supply and oxygen in the arteries. Some of the prominent heart attack causes are listed below.
- Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
The most common cause of heart attack is the Coronary Artery Disease. It is a serious medical condition where the blood supply to the heart muscle stops due to blockage or narrowing due to plaque building. The blockage leads to blood clotting that reduces blood supply, and it leads to heart attack or heart failure.
- Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD)
When the inner layers of the coronary artery tear away from the outer layers, blood starts flowing between the layers, causing blood clotting. This reduces the blood flow in the heart muscle or causes a blockage, leading to a heart attack.
- Hypoxia
Hypoxia is a situation when a body organ lacks enough blood supply. When the muscles in the heart do not receive enough oxygen, the heart is damaged and eventually dies. Prolonged hypoxia weakens the heart muscle and exerts pressure on the heart, which is a common reason for a heart attack.
- High Cholesterol
High cholesterol is a condition with excessive lipids (fats) in the blood. This high cholesterol leads to the formation of plaque, which thickens the blood and eventually reduces blood supply to body organs. Excessive plaque formation narrows the arteries and eventually results in the clotting of blood, which causes a heart attack.
- High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure builds a force on the artery walls. When enough blood is not supplied to the body parts, pressure is exerted on the heart to supply blood to the rest of the body parts. Due to this, the heart’s left ventricle is enlarged and thickens, which increases the risk of a heart attack.
- Chronic Stress
Chronic stress can lead to increased blood pressure, which causes a disturbance in the normal functioning of the heart. Increased pressure can lead to heart attack or even failure of the heart.
- Obesity
If you are suffering from obesity, then the risk of getting a heart attack increases because obesity leads to several other problems, like diabetes, increased blood pressure, and high cholesterol, which causes heart attacks.
- Smoking and Alcoholism
Excessive smoking and consuming alcohol are one of the causes of heart attack. Smoking causes the arteries to harden and narrow, which builds plaque and leads to artery blockage. While consuming alcohol increases blood pressure, which increases the risk of a heart attack.
If you are suffering from any heart ailments or need advice on your present condition, you should visit a cardiology hospital in Delhi immediately. Kalra Hospitals provides the best care, trust, and treatment as it has the best cardiologist in Delhi. Book your consultation with the best cardiology hospital in Delhi today and take a step towards a healthy heart.