Causes and effects of heart attack

heart attack occurs when the flow of blood to the heart is blocked. The blockage is most often a buildup of fat, cholesterol and other substances, which form a plaque in the arteries that feed the heart (coronary arteries). The plaque eventually breaks away and forms a clot. The interrupted blood flow can damage or destroy part of the heart muscle.

Causes of heart attack 

 The following factors are associated with increased risk of a heart attack:

 Age: Heart attacks are more likely when a man is over 45, and when a woman is over 55.

Angina: This causes chest pain due to lack of oxygen or blood supply to the heart. High cholesterol levels: These can increase the chance of blood clots in the arteries.

Diabetes: This can increase heart attack risk.

 Diet: For example, consuming large quantities of saturated fats can increase the likelihood of a heart attack.

Genetics: A person can inherit a higher risk of heart attack.

Heart surgery: This can lead to a heart attack later on.

Hypertension: High blood pressure can put unnecessary strain on the heart.

 Obesity: Being significantly overweight can put pressure on the heart.

Smoking: Smokers are at much higher risk than non-smokers.

Work stress: Those who are shift workers or have stressful jobs can face a higher heart attack risk.

Symptoms of heart attack 

- Coughing 
- Nausea 
- Vomiting 
- Crushing chest pain
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath 
- Face seeming gray in color
- A feeling of terror that life is ending 
- Restlessness 
- Feeling clammy and sweaty
- Pressure
- Tightness
- Pain, or a squeezing or aching sensation in your chest or arms that may spread to your neck, jaw or back
- Indigestion
- Heartburn or abdominal pain
- Cold sweat
- Fatigue.

Prevention 

 It's never too late to take steps to prevent a heart attack — even if you've already had one.

 Here are ways to prevent a heart attack. 

Taking medications can reduce your risk of a subsequent heart attack and help your damaged heart function better. Continue to take what your doctor prescribes, and ask your doctor how often you need to be monitored. Exercise regularly, manage stress and control conditions that can lead to heart attack, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

Another best way of preventing a heart attack is to have a healthy lifestyle. Measures for healthy living include the following: not smoking eating a balanced, healthful diet getting plenty of exercise getting plenty of good quality sleep keeping diabetes under control keeping alcohol intake down maintaining blood cholesterol at optimum levels
keeping blood pressure at a safe level maintaining a healthy body weight avoiding stress where possible learning how to manage stress.

Treatment 

Aspirin and other antiplatelets 

Beta blockers

ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme)

 Inhibitors statins

 Angioplasty 

CABG or coronary artery bypass graft

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