A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, occurs when the blood supply to the heart is severely reduced or stopped. When blood cannot reach the heart muscle, it will die. Most heart attacks are caused by blood clots. Plaque, a fatty substance that builds up in the artery, can rupture or break, causing a blood clot to form and block the coronary artery. The flow of blood and oxygen to the section of the heart muscle fed by the artery is stopped, leading to the death of the heart muscle in that area. Once an area of the heart becomes damaged, it is irreversible. Prompt medical treatment can reduce the amount of damage. If a larger area of the heart muscle dies, it can cause sudden death.

 
Risk factors for a heart attack include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, age, heredity and diabetes. Symptoms of a heart attack may vary. Crushing or squeezing pain in the chest is a common symptom. The pain may radiate to the arm, jaw, shoulder, back or neck. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, sweating or nausea. In some instances there is no pain, or only a burning sensation. Women’s symptoms may differ from men. They may experience chest discomfort, as opposed to pain. Abdominal pain and fatigue are found more often in women.

 
The longer the heart is deprived of blood, the more serious the damage. Therefore, it is important to seek immediate treatment for a heart attack. An electrocardiogram is used to diagnose a heart attack. In addition, a cardiac enzyme blood test can indicate the occurrence of a heart attack.

The goals of emergency treatment are to minimize damage to the heart muscle by restoring blood flow, reduce the workload on the heart so it can heal, and determine the amount of heart muscle damage. Treatment of heart attacks depends on a variety of factors including the patient’s age and complications. Prompt use of thrombolytics, also known as “clot busters,” is an effective method to dissolve blood clots. Aspirin and anticoagulants can help prevent new blood clots from forming. Beta blockers are used to reduce the strain on the heart. Emergency coronary angioplasty and stenting, or coronary artery bypass surgery is sometimes used in place of thrombolytic agents.

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