HEART ATTACKKNOW THE FACTS

2

Hea

rt A

ttac

k

CORONARY HEART DISEASE _CORONARY HEART DISEASE OCCURS WHEN THE SUPPLY OF BLOOD TO THE HEART IS BLOCKED OR SLOWED BY FATTY DEPOSITS IN THE CORONARY ARTERIES.

A HEART ATTACK _ALSO KNOWN AS A MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION, ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION, CORONARY OCCLUSION, CORONARY THROMBOSIS OR ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF A HEART ATTACK?

Many of the underlying causes of heart disease, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol, can develop slowly over many years without causing symptoms. Often a heart attack is the first sign of heart problems.

The symptoms of a heart attack can include:

• Pain or discomfort in the centre of the chest

• Pain or discomfort in the arms, left shoulder, elbows, jaw or back

• Shortness of breath

• Nausea or vomiting

• Dizziness or fainting

• Cold sweats

• Becoming pale

Women’s symptoms of heart attack can be unusual. Women are more likely to experience shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and back or jaw pain than men. They are also more likely to experience cold sweats, overwhelming weakness or fatigue anxiety, malaise or loss of appetite.

A heart attack is a medical emergency and anyone experiencing chest pain or other warning signs that are severe, get worse quickly or last more than ten minutes should seek medical help immediately.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I HAVE A HEART ATTACK?

If you go to hospital with a suspected heart attack a number of tests may be used to decide whether you are having a heart attack.

These include:

• Electrocardiogram, or ECG, in which electrical leads on the chest, arms and legs are used to detect electrical impulses travelling through the heart

• Angiogram, an X-ray using dye that shows if there is narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries

• Blood tests

• Chest x-ray

WHAT IS A HEART ATTACK?

A heart attack occurs when an artery to the heart becomes totally blocked and blood flow to part of the heart is stopped. This deprives the heart of oxygen, and part of the heart muscle starts to die. Early medical treatment is vital to ensure this damage is not permanent.

Sources:

World Health Organisation

Healthy WA

Health Direct

Heart Foundation

Heart Research Australia

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR HEART ATTACK?

Acting quickly in the event of a suspected heart attack can reduce the damage to your heart and increase your chances of survival.

PARAMEDICS WILL BEGIN TREATMENT IN THE AMBULANCE.

Some common treatments for heart attack include:

• Thrombolysis, clot-dissolving medications that are delivered into the blood stream

• Angioplasty. First, a small balloon tipped catheter is inserted inside one or more of the coronary arteries, which have become very narrow. The catheter is then inflated one or more times until the artery is opened wide enough to improve blood flow to the heart

• Stent insertion. A small piece of stainless steel mesh, or stent, can be inserted into a coronary artery after angioplasty then left in the artery to keep it open

• Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) involves taking a blood vessel from the leg, chest or arm and grafting it to the coronary arteries. This improves blood supply to the heart through a detour – a “bypass” past a narrowed or blocked artery

• Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) can be inserted into the chest and connected to the heart. They are designed for people at high risk of developing abnormal fast rhythms (arrhythmias). ICDs detect and treat life threatening abnormal heart rhythms ICDs correct heart rates that are fast or slow, and can even give your heart a small electric shock to try to return it to its normal rhythm if necessary

3

Hea

rt A

ttac

k

• Pacemakers. Primarily designed to treat slow heart rhythms and atrial fibrillation. An electronic device monitors the heart’s rhythm and delivers a pulse to the heart at a programmed rate.

IF YOU SUSPECT A HEART ATTACK CALL TRIPLE ZERO (000) AND ASK FOR AN AMBULANCE.

000

Sources:

Healthy WA

Heart Research Australia

American Heart Association

Heart Research Australia

RECOVERING FROM A HEART ATTACK

While heart disease cannot be cured, treatment and lifestyle change can greatly reduce the risk of further heart attacks.

Strategies to aid recovery and reduce the risk of further heart problems include:

• Being active by engaging in regular, gentle exercise, such as walking

• Eating healthy food, including vegetables, wholegrains, fruit, nuts and seeds every day. Choosing healthy fats such as olive oil, lean meat and poultry and oily fish. Limiting processed foods high in sugar, salt and fat and drinking mainly water

• Quitting smoking and avoiding second hand smoke

• Consuming alcohol in moderation

• Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight

• Staying psychologically and socially healthy. Depression can be treated by medication as well as by staying in touch with your community

• Having regular check ups

• Taking prescribed medication

Cardiac rehabilitation programs help recovery and assist heart attack survivors to make lifestyle changes that can prevent further heart problems. These programs also help patients and their families deal with problems that can arise from heart problems, including physical, emotional, psychological, marital, sexual and work related issues.

4

Hea

rt A

ttac

k

Written and Reviewed by Veris Health Communications

Sources:

Healthy WA

Heart Foundation

Health Direct