According to NCBI, “The annual number of deaths from CVD in India is projected to rise from 2.26 million (1990) to 4.77 million (2020)” Heart attack is very common in India. It occurs when blood is unable to flow to the heart.
The blockages are caused due to plaque build-up in the arteries that carry blood to the heart. The plaque build-up occurs due to high levels of cholesterol. Hence, as the best heart hospital in Baroda, we often recommend checking your cholesterol levels at specific intervals.
The blockages can be triggered by:
- Physical exertion
- Emotional stress
- Cold temperatures
- Cocaine use
- Eating a heavy or large meal
- Sexual intercourse
When it comes to a heart attack, people often confuse it with gas. Generally, if the pain is due to gas, it fades away after burps or farts. But if the pain is associated with a heart attack, it will cause you other symptoms like nausea, vomiting and/or breathlessness. As the best heart hospital in Baroda, we feel glad to educate and inform our readers. If the pain does not subside on its own, it is better to consult the best heart specialist in Vadodara.
Before we discuss the signs of a heart attack with you, it is essential to discuss the risk factors that can lead to blockage in arteries.
Risk Factors for Blockages in arteries:
- Use of Tobacco: It can damage the walls of arteries and increase the risk of blood clots.
- Diabetes: It is the number one cause of heart problems.
- High Blood Pressure: High BP can damage the arteries and in turn lead to heart attacks.
- High Cholesterol levels: Cholesterol build-up can narrow the artery and in turn restrict the flow of blood to the heart.
- Obesity: Obesity is linked to high BP and high cholesterol levels and can ultimately lead to a heart attack. It is necessary to stay physically active and avoid being obese.
Signs of heart attack
As a heart specialists in Vadodara, people often ask us, that why is it that some people have severe symptoms while others have very mild symptoms?
Each person can have different intensity of pain. Not only that, the symptoms of heart attack are different in men and women.
Broadly you observe the following signs/symptoms when you have a heart attack.
- Pain or tightness in the chest that aches or you feel as if it is squeezing.
- Fatigue
- Heartburn or indigestion
- Cold sweat
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Pain in the shoulder, arm, back, neck or jaw.
Apart from the above common signs of a heart attack, as a heart specialists in Vadodara, we have noticed some specific signs peculiar to women.
Signs of a heart attack in women:
In addition to the above women at times experience additional signs like:
- Pain or pressure in the lower chest or upper abdomen
- Fainting
- Indigestion
- Extreme fatigue
As one of the best heart hospitals in Baroda our advice to our patients is:
- Do physical exercise. It can be as simple as using stairs rather than a lift or an elevator.
- Try to eat a healthier diet. Avoid junk or oily food. It leads to a build-up of cholesterol.
- Do preventive heart checkups at the best heart hospitals in Baroda. This can help us to detect the problems early.
- Always stay informed about the possible signs of a heart attack so that you can quickly seek medical help.
- In case you think that you are suffering from a heart attack, DON’T MOVE AT ALL. That puts pressure on your heart.
- In the case of regular pains, don’t ignore it thinking it to be just a gastric problem. It is better to get it confirmed by a heart specialist in Vadodara.
Lastly, we would like to add that heart attack is a silent killer. You might be at a risk. Adopt a healthy lifestyle to prevent heart attack. Stay informed and always take corrective measures to prevent it.
Never try to diagnose the problems yourself, especially if they relate to the brain and heart. As a precautionary measure learning CPR can be of immense help in emergencies.