A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, happens when blood flow to the heart is blocked. This blockage typically consists of a buildup of fat, cholesterol, and other substances that form a plaque in the arteries that go to the heart.
The plaque gradually breaks away and can form a clot, interrupting the blood flow and damaging or destroying part of the heart muscle. A heart attack can be fatal. It’s essential to seek emergency medical attention if you think you’re experiencing a heart attack.
What are the symptoms of a heart attack?
The symptoms of a heart attack include:
- Fatigue
- Cold sweat
- Sudden dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Tightness and pain in the chest
- Nausea, indigestion, and abdominal pain
- Pressure and a squeezing sensation in the chest that can spread to the arms or neck
The symptoms and severity of a heart attack vary. Typically, the more symptoms you experience, the greater the likelihood you’re having a heart attack.
What are the risk factors of a heart attack?
Certain factors can play a role in the buildup of these fatty deposits and the narrowing of the arteries through your body. Some of the risk factors include:
- Aging
- Obesity
- Tobacco
- Diabetes
- Chronic stress
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- A lack of physical activity
- An autoimmune condition
- A history of preeclampsia
- A family history of heart attack
What is a heart attack?
How can I prevent a heart attack?
The best way to prevent a heart attack is to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle and work on regulating your blood pressure and lowering your risk factors with the help of a specialist like Dr. Shah.
You should also avoid smoking and manage your stress. Dr. Shah offers preventive care, regular screenings, and physical exams to check your overall health and your risk factors that can lead to a heart attack.
Dr. Shah utilizes advanced technology and provides a range of testing methods, such as electrocardiograms, blood tests, chest X-rays, echocardiograms, angiograms, MRIs, and stress tests.
With the right treatments and medical care, Dr. Shah can help you to lower your risk of a heart attack and take care of your heart health. He offers innovative treatments, including medications and lifestyle changes.
Schedule your heart health consultation online or call one of the three Prime Heart and Vascular offices today.