We’ve all heard it, feared it and panicked over it whenever there was even a little pain in our left arm, but heart attacks aren’t the end of the world. In fact, when treated with proper caution and care, heart attacks can be fully recovered from. We at Sakra World Hospital always encourage our patients to make well-informed choices. To understand how to shed blind fear of heart attacks, we must try to understand what a heart attack is, its causes, emergency treatment and rehabilitation. Read on to get to the heart of the matter.

What is a heart attack?

In simple words, a heart attack occurs when the blood flow to your heart is suddenly reduced or cut off. During a heart attack, your heart muscles don't get the oxygen they need & without it, the heart muscles get damaged or destroyed.

What causes a heart attack?

A gradual buildup of cholesterol and a fatty material called plaque in your artery walls usually causes a heart attack. A heart attack occurs when the plaque breaks off your artery wall which then results in a blood clot forming around the broken-off plaque, blocking the artery.

What are the symptoms?

Men and women have different symptoms, but both may have pain, pressure, or discomfort in the chest. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, sweating, fainting, and nausea. Men are more likely to break out in a cold sweat and feel pain move down the left arm during a heart attack.

Women are more likely than men to have back or neck pain, heartburn, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and indigestion. They may also feel extremely tired, light-headed, or dizzy. Flu-like symptoms and sleep problems may also occur 2 weeks before a heart attack.

What should I do in case of a heart attack?

If you or someone you’re with is experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack, the chances of survival are much higher with emergency medical treatment within 90 minutes. Sakra World Hospital has a dedicated cardiac team that is well trained and equipped with the latest technology to treat you in case of a heart attack.

While waiting for emergency treatment, the person with heart attack symptoms should chew and swallow an aspirin to lower the risk of a blood clot (unless they're allergic). If the person is unconscious, hands-only CPR can double his/her chances of survival.

Am I at risk?

Smoking can raise your risk of a heart attack. So can having high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, and being obese. Your odds of having a heart attack go up with age, and men have a greater risk than women. A family history of heart disease could also increase your risk.

Other things that can raise your risk of a heart attack are a lack of exercise, depression, and stress.

Can I prevent heart attacks?

If you smoke, stop. It will immediately cut your chances of a heart attack by a third. Get exercise and eat plenty of fruits, veggies, and whole grains to keep your arteries healthy.

Will a heart attack treatment affect my daily life too?

If you're in the hospital for a heart attack, you may come home in just a few days. You can resume your normal activities after a few weeks. The Sakra World Hospital offers various cardiac rehab therapies that can help you recover. You'll get a fitness program that's made just for you, and learn how to keep up a heart-healthy lifestyle. Our counselors are always here for your support if you're depressed or worried about getting a second heart attack.

A healthy lifestyle and an active physique go a long way when it comes to heart health. However, a lot of other factors like hereditary risks and diabetes can make your heart health deteriorate. To prevent any such unseen factors from taking a toll on your heart, book a heart check-up with our highly experienced cardiac team at bit.ly/cardiacsciences. Our team of specialized doctors ensures that your heart stays healthy and you stay happy.