A heart attack happens when the bloodstream to the heart gets reduced. Medically, another name for a heart attack is a myocardial infarction. Pressure and pain in the heart is a primary sign that an individual is experiencing a heart attack, but there are usually more symptoms involved.
Other heart attack symptoms can be tension, difficulty breathing, pain in the mandible, vomiting, and in some cases, fainting. It is also worth mentioning that men and women typically exhibit different symptoms. For one, women are less prone to feel heart pain.
Understanding the Symptoms
Some myocardial infarction symptoms seem and feel trivial, resulting in many individuals brushing them off and not getting medical attention. Sadly, many lose their lives just because they do not take the heart pain or other symptoms associated with a heart attack seriously enough to get medical assistance. If you believe that there may be a chance you are experiencing a heart attack, the best course of action is to pay a visit to the emergency room right away as it is better to be safe than sorry.
Myocardial Infarction Risks
A heart attack transpires abruptly, but many individuals are at an increased risk of a heart event before it occurs. Those with diabetes, kidney disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, as well as individuals who smoke and have a diet rich in trans and saturated fats are at a greater risk of heart disease and heart attack. Moreover, men over 50 and individuals with a family history of heart disease or heart attack are at a higher risk of suffering from a myocardial infarction.
Myocardial Infarction Prevention
Given that a myocardial infarction can likely be deadly, its prevention is of utmost importance. The goal of increasing heart attack awareness is to urge people to modify lifestyle choices.
The measures of prevention below are vital in preventing heart disease and a heart attack as well as speeding up the recovery period following a heart attack.
Reducing Cholesterol Levels
There is a strong link between high cholesterol and heart health. When a patient’s LDL cholesterol (also known as bad cholesterol) level is above the healthy range, it leads to the formation of plaque in the arteries. As the plaque buildup can block the passageways in the arteries, this can result in myocardial infarction. Conversely, HDL, the good counterpart of LDL cholesterol, facilitates the breakdown of plaque to prevent clogging in the arteries. When it comes to cholesterol in relation to your heart health, the goal must be to lower LDL cholesterol and up HDL cholesterol levels.
Keeping at an Ideal Weight
Obesity increases the likelihood of myocardial infarction because being overweight can strain the heart. Medical experts state over and over that those who are over their ideal weight lower their risk of myocardial infarction with every 10-15 pounds they drop.
Having a Healthy Diet
The medical communities across the world also emphasize the importance of a healthy diet and regular exercise to lower the risk of myocardial infarction. Those who are already at risk particularly must make an effort to adopt a diet that is limited in dietary cholesterol and trans/saturated fats and rich in fresh produce. Experts also recommend an intake of a minimum of 2-3 servings of omega-3 fatty fish every week, which is known to promote cardiovascular health.
Physical Activity
Exercise lowers the risk of myocardial infarction by boosting the strength of the heart. Experts recommend a type of physical activity such as jogging, walking, or dancing at least a few times a week for half an hour.
Managing Stress
Lowering and managing stress is also an essential part of keeping myocardial infarction at bay. Stress puts immense pressure on the heart and forces it to work too hard, resulting in an increased risk of a heart attack. Breathing exercises, taking moments to unwind, and meditation are some excellent ways to control stress to lower your risk of myocardial infarction.
A heart attack is still one of the leading causes of death in the world and is a major health concern. Being educated about what to do in the case of a heart attack can save your life.
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