HEART ATTACK

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Heart attack, also called myocardial infarction is a silent killer. A recent study showed that it affects more than 3 million people in the United States alone yearly. 

A heart attack occurs as a result of permanent damage to the heart muscle. Just like every part of the body, the heart requires oxygen rich blood for its normal function, provided by the coronary arteries. In the advent of  coronary artery disease, the arteries become narrow, limiting blood flow to the heart. This is further aggravated by the build up of fatty matter, protein, calcium and inflammatory matter, forming plaque. Plaque deposits are generally hard on the outside and soft on the inside.
The hard outer shell of plaque ruptures, causing platelets (blood clotting factors) to clog around the plaque. The complete block of these clot clogs in the arteries causes oxygen starvation of the heart. The heart cells die within a short time, causing irrevocable damage to the heart. This is called a heart attack.
The severity of damage to the heart depends on the size of the region supplied by the clogged artery.
Healing of the damaged tissue starts immediately after a heart attack and usually takes 7 to 9 weeks. Scar tissues form in the damaged area. These scar tissues do not contract, reducing the heart's pumping ability. 
There are a number of symptoms associated with heart attacks. They include:

• Discomfort, pressure, heaviness, or pain in the chest, arm, or below the breastbone
• Sweating, nausea, vomiting, or dizziness
• Discomfort radiating to the back, jaw, throat, or arm
• Fullness, indigestion, or choking feeling
• Excessive weakness, anxiety, or shortness of breath
• Rapid or irregular heartbeats

During the course of a heart attack, symptoms typically last for 30 - 45 minutes. They are not relieved by rest or the sublingual placement of nitroglycrine or any other anti-anginal medication.

Certain people experience heart attacks without any symptoms ( Silent myocardial infarction). This can occur in anyone but has been discovered to be more prevalent among people who are also diabetic.

TREATMENT.

Immediate treatment after a heart attack is essential to reduce the extent of damage. Within 1 to 2 hours of the onset of symptoms is the most optimum time to treat a heart attack. The treatment goal is to open up the blocked artery. Delay in treatment increases damage to heart muscles and reduces the chances of survival. Always watch out for the above listed symptoms and seek help immediately you experience them.

Treatment is done with the use of drugs and surgical procedures.