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Introduction
A heart attack clinically known as a myocardial infarction,
occurs when one or more of the coronary arteries are
blocked.
Because your heart is a muscle, it needs oxygen to
function, just like any other tissue. The special
blood vessels that feed the heart are called coronary
arteries. Coronary artery disease is a process of
narrowing that occurs over time in these important
vessels and can lead to a heart attack.
Causes
Heart
attacks generally are caused by severe coronary artery
disease. Most heart attacks are caused by blood clots
that form on atherosclerotic plaque. This blocks a
coronary artery from supplying oxygen-rich blood to
part of the heart.
Symptoms
Severe chest pain is the most frequent symptom of a
heart attack, although it is possible to be having a
heart attack and not have chest pain at all. Another
common symptom is a sensation of heavy pressure on the
chest.
If you feel an uncomfortable pressure, fullness,
squeezing or pain in the center of your chest and your
discomfort lasts for two minutes or longer, you could
be having a heart attack. Sweating, dizziness,
fainting, nausea, or shortness of breath may also
occur, although not all symptoms do necessarily occur.
Treatment Chew aspirin at home before the paramedics arrive,
unless you have had serious trouble with stomach
bleeding. It can decrease additional clot formation
and may lower your risk of death from the heart
attack. Initial treatment may include nitrates - e.g.,
sublingual (under the tongue) nitroglycerin, oxygen,
aspirin and pain medication.
If you are transported to the hospital in an ambulance, you will be given
oxygen therapy and probably nitroglycerin or a pain
reliever, such as morphine.
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