A heart attack is a very serious condition, requiring immediate response. Every second matters while detecting the symptom and calling for help. All such information with regard to symptoms might save you or the other person from death. In this blog post, you are going to be taken through some of the possible symptoms that you need to look out for, and what to do if you or someone else experiences a heart attack.
Common Symptoms of a Heart Attack
Sometimes, heart attacks do not develop with spectacular symptoms. Very early signs can be very delicate but lifesaving. The most common presentation of heart attack symptoms is chest pain or pressure, squeezing, or tightness inside the chest. It will last more than a few minutes, and it usually has radiation to the arms, neck, jaw, or back.
Not everyone who has a heart attack experiences chest pain. Many people have pain or discomfort in their arms or back. And many people have shortness of breath. A heart attack can make you sit up suddenly as if you cannot breathe. Therefore, nausea or vomiting may occur. Other symptoms include sweating or dizziness.
Additionally, other signs of a heart attack include fatigue, which is more common in women. If you experience unexplained fatigue, pay attention. Classic symptoms are sometimes absent during heart attacks, especially in older adults or diabetes victims.
What to Do When Symptoms Appear?
If you suspect you’re having an attack, don’t waste any more time. You call emergency services right away. You shouldn’t drive to the hospital yourself. The sooner you call, the better it is for your heart because delay may irreparably damage it.
Wait for help to come and try as hard as you can to remain calm. Sit down if you can. As a last resort, if possible, chew on an aspirin to thin your blood. But don’t take aspirin if you are allergic. If the victim is unconscious, start CPR if you’re trained to do so. Aggressive CPR keeps blood circulating throughout the body until the medical professionals get there.
Don’t eat or drink anything until assistance arrives. You do not want to choke on something or face complications with the treatment. Further, be as quiet as possible in the place. Anything is important when it comes to saving lives, so time matters here.
Why Quick Action Is Critical?
A heart attack is caused by the blockage in arteries which prevents blood from getting to the heart. The longer the heart does not receive blood, the more it gets damaged. Thus, time lost counts more in the form of potential severe damage or death.
Early medical intervention can provide the patient with the best opportunity to recover. Hospitals offer lifesaving treatments that may range from clot-busting medications to surgery. Many hospitals also have advanced cardiac units dedicated to heart attack treatment.
In the hospital, tests are performed to confirm the heart attack. These include blood tests, electrocardiograms, and sometimes imaging tests. Early intervention reduces complications and improves chances of survival.
Seeking Specialized Care
If you suspect a heart attack, then the right hospital is very important. The best hospital for cardiology offers specific care towards heart conditions. These hospitals have expert teams and advanced technology. Thus, they can promptly diagnose a heart attack, improving your chances of survival.
Moreover, hospitals at Baroda, which provide Intensive Care Units, make critical cases possible. They care for and observe patients day and night. In the ICU, doctors can observe closely the activity of your heart. This will be useful in that important stage of recovery for you, after a heart attack.
Follow-Up Care After a Heart Attack
The best thing after surviving a heart attack is some kind of follow-up care. Thus, your physician would suggest certain lifestyle adjustments to minimise the possibility of such attacks in the future. You may have to quit smoking, eat a diet that is heart-friendly, and exercise regularly.
Additional medicines might be prescribed to reduce cholesterol levels, blood pressure, or blood sugar. However, proper control of these conditions will prevent further heart attacks. Internal medicine specialist Baroda are equipped to render follow-up care. They can assist in the management of long-term conditions, including those that lead to heart disease.
More importantly, returning for follow-up appointments is essential to your long-term health. Cardiac rehabilitation is another such program also offered. These classes teach you to condition your heart with exercise and nutrition.
Preventing Heart Attacks
Prevention is always much better than treatment. Many of the risk factors for a heart attack lie in your hands. So, healthy lifestyle changes can significantly lower your risk of having a heart attack. Quit smoking because it is one of the prime causes of heart disease.
However, it protects the heart if a healthy diet is taken, including fruits, vegetables, and grains. Saturated fats, sugar, and salt should however be avoided. Your heart stays strong through regular physical activity, and you lose weight at the same time. Any amount of activity in a day, as little as 30 minutes, is helpful for you.
Additionally, stress management is also important for heart health. Chronic stress adds undue strain on the heart. Learn to relax and even practice meditation or deep breathing exercises.
Conclusion
Identifying symptoms of heart attack has often proved life-saving. Treatment is possible only if action and medical help are sought very promptly. Most heart attacks do not have common symptoms. Hence, the subtle symptoms should be known. Hospitals that have specialised cardiac care and ICU services in Baroda are quite helpful in providing life-saving treatment. An internal medicine specialist in Baroda ensures that recovery remains long-term and prevents further heart attacks.
By taking precautions and keeping alert about the symptoms, you would save your heart. You must know that each second counts in a heart attack. Be informed, act fast and get professional help to save lives.
