Heart Attack and Heart Disease

Heart Attack is also known as Myocardial Infarction (M.I.); it is a condition wherein a certain portion of the heart is deprived of oxygen due to atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is a formation of plaque along the arterial walls, gradually narrowing the passage of oxygen and blood; this result to increase in blood pressure and hypertension. If left untreated, the plaque will continue to increase until it completely blocks the passage, totally depriving a portion of the heart from oxygen and blood leading to its death. At this point, heart attack occurs.

A plaque is composed of collagen, excess smooth muscle cells, proteins, and cholesterol-rich fatty deposits along the arterial wall.

• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea
• Anxiety
• Choking sensation
• Profuse sweating
• Muscle weakness

• Family History
• Cigarette smoking
• Gender- men have higher risk than women
• Age-more common by 65 years old
• Unhealthy diet- persistent consumption of high unsaturated fat
• Illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus
• Obesity
• Lack of exercise
• Depression/ Anxiety/ Severe emotional distress
• Excess use of amphetamines

• Immediately bring patient to the emergency room/ hospital
• Take aspirin upon detecting symptoms
• Give CPR if heart beat stopped
• Injection of clot-dissolving drugs such as Thrombolytics like tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) –urokinase or streptokinase. This helps dissolve arterial blockage.
• Nitroglycerin may also be given to help decrease demand for oxygen and lower blood pressure.
• Give fast acting anti-hypertensive drugs
• Cholesterol lowering drugs like statins may be given at the hospital
• In some cases, Digtalis Glycosides are prescribed to strengthen heart muscle contraction
• Pain-killers are sometimes given to relieve pain
• Dopamine are also prescribed to help promote blood flow towards the heart
• In severe cases, heart transplant may be necessary. Heart transplant survival rate is around 80% after a year, and 60% after 4 years.
• In some cases, coronary bypass surgery are performed to restore sufficient blood flow to the heart muscles
• In other instances, Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) are performed to open or widen blocked arteries

• Healthy diet
• Exercise daily
• Avoid excessive use of alcohol, drugs and other substances
• Regularly consult your doctor
• Do not smoke
• Maintain appropriate BMI