Heart attack - this is the concept most people used to describe a sharp sudden pain in the heart. It is colloquial in nature and means in the common people the same as the period of exacerbation of myocardial ischemia.

In the professional terminology, this phenomenon is called acute coronary syndrome.

After the necessary examinations, the diagnosis is specified, and a heart attack actually turns out to be one of two clinical syndromes - angina pectoris or myocardial infarction. About 17 million people worldwide die from them every year.

The main prerequisites for a heart attack are the pathologies of the cardiovascular system, metabolic disorders and other chronic diseases that a person has:

Hypertension and, as a result, a hypertensive crisis.
Ischemic heart disease (CHD).
Deviation in the functioning of the blood coagulation system, a tendency to form blood clots (thrombophilia).
Blockage of arteries and veins by blood clots (pulmonary embolism, thrombosis of the coronary arteries).
Chronic heart failure (CHF).
Circulatory disorders caused by cholesterol, fatty deposits on the walls of large and medium-sized arteries (atherosclerosis).
Diabetes mellitus in the stage of decompensation, due to the lack of proper treatment for a long time.
Various forms of atrial fibrillation, extrasystole.
Dissecting aneurysm of the thoracic aorta.

Older people are at risk, this is due to age-related changes in the state of the heart muscle and the elasticity of blood vessels. If we consider the incidence of heart attacks by gender, they are more likely to affect men. A person's standard of living can also lead to a heart attack. Therefore, the risk group includes people who are obese, smokers.

IN last years the age of angina attacks and heart attack has decreased significantly. Heart attacks are not uncommon in adults younger than 40 years of age. Moreover, in medical statistics, even cases of a heart attack at the age of 25 and in 16-18 year old teenagers are known.

A heart attack at a young age can happen due to many factors:

heredity;
drug use;
blood clotting disorders;
susceptibility to stress;
emotional instability;
atypical form of atherosclerosis.

An increased risk of developing angina attacks is observed in pregnant women with chronic heart disease. This is due to the lack of oxygen and increased stress on the cardiovascular system during pregnancy caused by an increase in total blood volume.

Additional provocateurs are: bad habits, excess weight, lack of physical activity or, conversely, excessive workload, stressful situations, age after 50 years.

Long-term use of high-dose non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can also provoke an attack.

Symptoms and first signs

A heart attack is always accompanied by severe squeezing pain behind the sternum. Most often, it begins in the morning, after a person wakes up, when the transition from sleep to daytime activity supplies the heart with increased stress.

At this moment, a person feels difficulty in breathing, tightness in the chest does not make it possible to take a full deep breath and exhale.

The following comparative table will help in identifying and distinguishing angina pectoris and heart attack in time:

Symptoms of an angina attack	Heart attack symptoms
Pain sensations of a pressing and burning character are localized in the chest.	Pain and burning felt behind the chest.
The pain spreads to the area between the shoulder blades, to the area of the shoulder, neck. With irradiation of pain in the abdomen, clinical symptoms are accompanied by nausea.	Most often, pain appears on the left side of the body, radiates to the neck and shoulder girdle. The right side of the chest and the abdomen are less likely to experience pain.
Has no harbingers.	It has characteristic warning signs.
Relief of an attack is possible by taking nitroglycerin.	Taking medications that previously produced a therapeutic effect now do not have a result.

The suspicion that a heart attack is imminent may appear long before the attack itself, sometimes this period can be more than 20 days. People suffering from heart disease should be especially attentive to their health.

You should see your doctor right away if you have two or more of the following symptoms:

, feeling of lack of oxygen, discomfort when being in stuffy rooms;
a feeling of chest tightness, covering the entire upper body - head, neck, shoulders, arms;
stomach pain, nausea, heartburn;
numb and sore left hand from shoulder to elbow or to little finger
snoring in sleep, sleep apnea;
swelling of the lower extremities;
dizziness;
violation of the rhythms of sleep and wakefulness;
fatigue with minimal effort;
anxiety.

A timely visit to the doctor with the manifestation of the above symptoms will help to stop the attack, which is already approaching. This requires the cardiologist to correct the existing treatment.

In addition to the main symptoms in the form of pain and difficulty breathing, a person also experiences other signs by which one can understand the presence of a heart attack:

vegetative symptoms: chills, sweating (hyperhidrosis), pallor or blue (cyanosis) of the skin, frost and cold in the legs;
nausea, sometimes accompanied by heartburn, belching, vomiting, feeling of stuck food in the anterior abdominal wall;
stool disorder (diarrhea);
temperature may rise or fall sharply, may be accompanied by fever and fever
dizziness, blurred vision up to loss of consciousness;
intense heartbeat, heart rhythm disturbances;
psycho-emotional disorders: panic attacks, increased anxiety, fear, internal tremor (trembling, convulsions).

Symptoms of an attack in men and women are somewhat different. Women face life-threatening conditions later in life than men.

The female body is protected by natural adaptive mechanisms necessary for bearing and giving birth to a child. After menopause, the frequency of seizures in both sexes levels off. However, women are more likely to survive it than men.

The endurance of the female cardiovascular system is determined by their biological characteristics. The symptoms of an attack of young girls and women are less pronounced, they often endure it, as they say, "on their feet."

How to distinguish from neuralgia and PA?

Signs of a heart attack are similar in nature to the symptoms of intercostal neuralgia and panic attacks.

Intercostal neuralgia may occur as a result of thoracic osteochondrosis. It is caused by pinching of the spinal roots.

A panic attack is psychological in nature and begins with " nervous ground” and its physiological symptoms are due to strong emotional experiences of a person.

In order to recognize a panic attack and intercostal neuralgia or vegetovascular dystonia in a "pure form", their symptoms should be compared with the characteristics specific to a heart attack.

This table will help you understand the difference between these states and find out their features.

Criteria for comparison	Heart attack	Panic attack	Intercostal neuralgia	VSD
How long does an attack last?	From half an hour to several hours.	Reaches peak values within 10-15 minutes.	From several hours, including the night period.	5 minutes to 8 hours
The nature of the breath	It is difficult for a person to breathe, breathing has a confused rhythm, accompanied by a feeling of chest tightness.	Breathing has a rapid rhythm, accompanied by a feeling of suffocation.	The respiratory rate does not change, but its depth is limited by the emerging intercepting pain sensations.	Shortness of breath, shortness of breath, rapid breathing
The nature of pain	Pressing, burning, squeezing.	Pricking.	Piercing, aching.	Stitching, pressing, burning, squeezing
	The pain is constant, but with varying intensity	The pain is undulating, periodic	Increases with sudden movements, sneezing, coughing, lifting heavy objects	Change in pain sensation over time
Description of pain sensations and their localization	Presses in the chest and in the area behind the sternum, with an emphasis on the left half of the upper body, has extensive localization.	Pricks in the center of the chest, in the limbs, numbness in the fingers and toes. It does not have a clear localization.	The pain spreads along the trunk of the intercostal nerve, radiates to the region of the heart, between the shoulder blades, under the ribs and behind the lower back. . Has a clear point of localization.	Poorly localized pain in various parts of the abdomen, a feeling of interruptions in the work of the heart, tachycardia, cold extremities.
Pulse and blood pressure	Pulse quickens, blood pressure drops.	Increasing.	Doesn't change.	Lability blood pressure
Psycho emotional condition	Fear of death from constricting sensation in the chest.	There are irrational fears, for example, the fear of suffocation, there is a feeling of unreality of what is happening.	Anxiety associated with determining the cause of the pain that has appeared.	Panic attack, fear of suffocation, imminent cardiac arrest or rupture

It should be remembered that a heart attack can provoke a panic attack and be accompanied by a whole range of symptoms characteristic of these two conditions. Often panic attacks occur in people who have already had a heart attack or stroke.

Patients describe their emotional state as a feeling of constant fear for the heart. Outwardly, this behavior does not look entirely rational, since there are no deadly circumstances and objective reasons for panic.

A person's fear can be so strong that it can provoke a new attack of a panic attack.

How to behave during an attack?

A heart attack is dangerous for a possible myocardial infarction. This condition does not tolerate delay, as it can lead to death.

An attack can come at the most inopportune moment: while flying in an airplane, in a dream, at work, or on the way home on the street or driving. He can also find a person at home alone, in which case he is forced to save himself.

If there are no other people nearby who can provide emergency first aid, the algorithm of self-help actions will help to survive:

Need to stop any form motor activity. It is advisable to take a comfortable position and behave as calmly as possible, without too much fuss.
Pick up the phone and dial the number "103", begin your appeal to the ambulance dispatcher with the words "I have a heart attack."
While medical workers are driving, you should drink aspirin and put a nitroglycerin tablet under the tongue. Aspirin thins the blood, preventing the formation of blood clots in the vessels. In the event of a heart attack, it will prevent progressive necrosis of the heart muscle. If you have already experienced attacks of pain in the heart, then you can additionally take the drugs prescribed by your doctor.
You can not give the patient: Validol, Valocordin, Corvalol. The action of these drugs is aimed at calming the nervous system, helping to fall asleep faster. It is forbidden to give painkillers to the patient: no-shpa, analgin, etc. Taking these funds will not only not help relieve the attack, but will also complicate the diagnosis of the disease for health workers, which may cause the patient to die.
If there is a tonometer nearby, then measure the pulse and blood pressure.
In order to increase the supply of oxygen to the lungs, you can cough. Coughing helps to activate blood circulation in the chest area. Before each time, you need to take a deep breath, cough on the exhale with maximum volume and a frequency of a couple of seconds.

The procedure for observing the correct and timely first aid to a person can save his life.

If in front of your eyes someone grabbed a heart, then you must perform the following sequence of actions:

Sit the victim up or lay them on a horizontal surface with their head up.
Call an ambulance.
Give the patient an aspirin to drink and place a nitroglycerin tablet under the tongue.
If possible, create an influx of fresh air into the room (open windows or doors).
Measure the patient's pulse and blood pressure. If it is elevated, the symptoms of an attack persist, then after 5-10 minutes you can give a second tablet of nitroglycerin. The maximum dose is 3 tablets.
If the victim has weakness, shortness of breath, excessive sweating, then it is necessary to give him a glass of water. After that, help lie down so that your legs are raised up.

Monitor the heart rate (HR), if the heart rate slows down, or there is a lack of pulse and breathing, then immediately start chest compressions. If you lose time, then a person has practically no chance of surviving, and he may die suddenly.

How is first aid provided?

Arriving doctors on the spot provide the patient with urgent assistance, after which they deliver him to the hospital for a more accurate diagnosis of the state of cardiac activity and subsequent treatment.

Included in first aid measures heart attack includes:

use of an oxygen mask (oxygen therapy);
to stop the pain syndrome, a dropper is placed with a solution of analgesic and neuroleptic drugs (Fetanil, Droperidol);
to reduce blood clotting and improve hemodynamics, an injection of Heparin or another anticoagulant is administered.

In emergency cases, when the victim loses consciousness and there is no pulse in the hands, resort to in combination with cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This is necessary in order to prevent cardiac arrest with the help of electrical impulse discharges and return it to a normal rhythm of contractions.

Hospital treatment

Upon admission of the victim to the hospital, the following laboratory and instrumental examinations are prescribed for an accurate diagnosis:

a blood test to detect the presence and concentration of cardiac enzymes;
cardiogram (ECG);
cardiac catheterization with the use of a contrast agent (if necessary);
chest x-ray.

Analysis of the anamnesis and data obtained during a comprehensive examination of the patient's cardiac activity are the basis for choosing measures for subsequent treatment.

The timing of therapy in a hospital setting will depend on the age of the patient and the severity of the heart attack. On average, these patients stay in the hospital for at least two weeks.

Treatment and recovery after a heart attack will be especially long. The first days of the patient is under the close attention of doctors in the intensive care unit or resuscitation. As a rule, earlier than three days, such patients are not transferred to the general cardiology department.

In total, recovery after a heart attack requires at least two to three weeks, after an attack of angina - up to one and a half to two weeks.

Patients are not recommended to stop rehabilitation therapy early and go home. Staying at home increases the risk possible complications and relapses. The patient's condition requires monitoring of cardiac performance with the help of special equipment, which is impossible at home.

Medical therapy

After the incident, the patient is prescribed medications that are necessary to prevent a recurrent attack of angina pectoris or myocardial infarction.

Comprehensive drug treatment and prevention of relapses involves taking drugs from several drug groups at once:

antiplatelet agents - prevent platelets from sticking together (Aspirin cardio, Acecor cardio, Aspecard);
beta-blockers - normalize heart rate and lower blood pressure (Sotahexal, Tenzol, Anaprilin, Blockarden);
cardioprotectors (prestarium, mildronat);
statins - medicines that lower cholesterol (Liptonorm, Lipostat, Rosulip);
diuretics - eliminate puffiness, remove excess fluid (Aldactone, Veroshpiron, Indapamide).

Surgical intervention

In order to restore normal blood circulation in the heart muscle can be applied various ways surgical intervention:

coronary (balloon) angioplasty or stenting is a procedure, the principle of which is the introduction of a balloon catheter into a narrowed vessel. The operation does not eliminate the cause of ischemia, but eliminates its consequences. In order for the vessel not to narrow again, a stent is inserted into it - a device made of thin material that acts as a spacer that fixes the width of the vessel.
coronary artery bypass grafting or heart vessel bypass surgery is an operation that allows you to restore blood flow in the arteries and large veins, bypassing clogged vessels. This is done through an artificially created bypass (shunt).

Rehabilitation

The recovery period will depend on the timeliness of the medical manipulations performed, the age of the victim and the degree of damage to the heart. The more extensive the lesion, the longer the recovery will continue.

On average, rehabilitation takes at least six months. The tactics of rehabilitation after a heart attack is based on bed rest with the gradual inclusion of physical activity and a systematic increase in physical activity.

After discharge from the hospital, the patient may be referred for sanatorium treatment. The duration of the tour is two to three weeks. The recovery period is largely determined by the general state of human health and the changes that it brings to the lifestyle after the attack.

In order to assess the patient's condition, a special stress test is performed a couple of months after the attack, which shows general state heart muscle.

If the patient has no complaints, during the ECG testing, no heart rhythm disturbances or ischemia are displayed, then the rehabilitation is considered successfully completed.

Prevention

In order to prevent a recurrent attack, you need to completely review your daily habits and change your lifestyle.

Maintain a normal weight level, avoid fatty, salty foods, and drink regularly. All foods and drinks that provoke an increase in blood pressure should be excluded from the diet. Fill your diet with healthy foods containing B vitamins. Be sure to consume foods high in potassium and magnesium.
If you smoke, you should quit immediately. Nicotine not only increases blood pressure, but also increases cholesterol deposits.
Exercise, walk more often, do not neglect therapeutic gymnastics. Elderly people should maintain their physical activity at the proper level. Physical education maintains vascular tone, stimulates blood circulation and will help you avoid an attack.
Check your blood pressure twice a day, in the morning and in the evening, and take your medications as directed by your doctor. People who have survived a heart attack are prescribed drugs for life that cause a decrease in blood viscosity and have an antithrombotic effect (for example, Cardiomagnyl).
Visit a cardiologist every six months. Skipping scheduled checkups can also shorten your life.
Perform relaxing, relaxation exercises, breathing exercises. Find for yourself effective method relieve mental stress, because against the background of stress, the heart has an increased load that it may not be able to withstand.

Forecast

The prognosis of a person's life after a heart attack will depend on many factors. Not the last role is played by the lifestyle that the patient will adhere to and the general condition of his body.

The presence of other chronic diseases, non-compliance with the doctor's recommendations can provoke complications, hinder the course of recovery processes.

The most favorable prognosis is for patients with a small degree of heart damage requiring simple methods of treatment.

Strict compliance with medical prescriptions quickly return them to a full life and will allow them to keep a working heart until old age.

Heart attack - it is this concept that is most often used to describe a sudden, acute pain in the region of the heart. The term is more colloquial and is used to describe an episode of myocardial infarction. Practicing cardiologists and general practitioners in their professional activity use a different concept acute coronary syndrome . This diagnosis is established temporarily and after the examinations it is specified before or. Every year, 17 million people die from ACS worldwide.

Pathogenesis

At the heart of a heart attack is a decrease in blood flow to a certain area of \u200b\u200bthe myocardium. First, a zone is formed ischemia due to malnutrition and then they talk about. If the cause is not eliminated, then ischemia turns into - damage to the heart muscle, and then they talk about. Most often, these processes are formed as a result of blockage or due to a significant narrowing of the lumen of the coronary artery by a thrombus or atherosclerotic plaque . With even a slight spasm of the coronary artery, the blood supply is severely disrupted due to the presence of a plaque on the vessel wall, which aggravates the situation.

The nature of local changes in the myocardium at the stage of ischemia formation is indistinguishable from the angina attack itself. However, myocardial infarction is formed only if it was not possible to resume adequate blood supply to this area of the myocardium in time. And then there is irreversible damage to the heart muscle - myocardial infarction.

Classification

There are two degrees of severity of a heart attack:

mild (with progressive angina);
severe (with myocardial infarction).

A mild heart attack is characterized by an asymptomatic onset and a sudden end. Myocardial infarction is accompanied by pronounced symptoms and is extremely rarely asymptomatic.

Causes

The main prerequisites for the development of a heart attack are various diseases of the cardiovascular system, endocrinological disorders and other chronic processes in the body:

cardiac ischemia ;
, hypertensive crises;
a tendency to thrombosis and other deviations in the functioning of the system (thrombophilia);
chronic heart failure;
blockage of veins and arteries by blood clots (thrombosis of the coronary arteries,);
decompensated, conditioned prolonged absence adequate therapy;
changes in blood circulation caused by fatty and cholesterol deposits on the walls of large and medium-sized vessels ();
rhythm disturbances ( , );

The risk group includes the elderly, which is due to age-related changes that relate to the elasticity of blood vessels and the state of the myocardium. Most often, a heart attack occurs in men. The patient's standard of living also affects the likelihood of a heart attack. At risk are people who suffer and cannot get rid of bad habits(smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages).

IN Lately there has been a disappointing trend - the heart attack is "getting younger". Heart attacks are becoming more common in people under 40. In medical practice, there are cases of myocardial infarction not only in 25-year-olds, but also in 16-18-year-olds. Causes of myocardial infarction at a young age:

genetic predisposition;
clotting disorder, hemostasis system;
drug use;
emotional overload;
high susceptibility to stress;
atypical course.

The risk of developing angina pectoris and myocardial infarction is also quite high in pregnant women suffering from chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system. During the gestation period, the load on the heart, which works for two, increases, and the lack of oxygen increases, the total blood volume increases.

Also play a negative role:

excess weight;
sedentary lifestyle;
the presence of bad habits;
stressful situations;
age over 50 years.

An attack can also be triggered by long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in high dosages.

Heart attack symptoms

Most often, attacks occur in the morning and are accompanied by severe pain. The patient experiences tightness in the chest, difficulty breathing and cannot make an independent full breath / exhalation. The pain syndrome may be accompanied by a feeling of tingling, burning. Similar symptoms can be with. The pain can radiate and give to the lower jaw, left shoulder, arm, neck. Radiating pain is stabbing in nature. The duration of the pain syndrome can last from half an hour to three hours. Signs of an impending heart attack may appear long before it occurs. This period can be more than 20 days.

How to recognize a heart attack?

Recognizing a heart attack is not difficult, because. spasm of the coronary arteries gives vivid symptoms (it is wrong to say “heart muscle spasm”, because only the vessels that feed the myocardium are spasmed, which leads to changes in the heart muscle). Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:

pressing pain behind the sternum, a feeling of tightness in the chest;
a feeling of lack of air, a feeling of discomfort in enclosed spaces;
apnea, the appearance of snoring in a dream;
heartburn, nausea, pain in the epigastric region;
feeling of numbness in the left arm from the shoulder to the little finger;
swelling of the lower extremities;
change in sleep and wakefulness;
excessive anxiety;
excessive fatigue even with minimal physical exertion.

A timely appeal to the attending doctor if you find the above signs in yourself will help prevent a cardiovascular catastrophe and stop the attack without consequences.
In addition to the main symptoms in the form of difficulty breathing and pain, the patient may have other signs by which a heart attack can be determined:

stool disorder (diarrheal syndrome);
vegetative symptoms (, cyanosis of the skin, cold in the legs, pallor);
nausea, accompanied by belching, heartburn, a feeling of stuck food in the anterior abdominal wall;
instability of body temperature (a sharp rise and fall, accompanied by fever and fever);
feeling of rapid heartbeat;
feeling of pulse instability;
blurred vision up to loss of consciousness, dizziness;
psycho-emotional instability: excessive anxiety, panic attacks, internal shaking, trembling in the body.

The symptoms of a heart attack differ slightly by gender. Women experience a heart attack much later in age than men.

Heart attack symptoms in women

Endurance of the cardiovascular system in women is determined by biological characteristics. IN female body there are adaptive mechanisms provided by nature for carrying and giving birth to a baby. The frequency of attacks in both sexes levels off after menopause, but women have fewer complications and are more tolerant of a heart attack. Very often, women suffer an attack "on their feet." The very signs of a heart attack in women are identical to the representatives of the stronger sex, but may be slightly less pronounced.

Symptoms of a heart attack in men

Men experience myocardial infarction earlier and endure it much harder. The frequency of deaths in the representatives of the strong half is higher. Cardiovascular diseases in men are diagnosed late, already in a neglected state due to ignoring symptoms and not recognizing oneself as sick. Signs in men are almost the same as in women, only more pronounced.

Analyzes and diagnostics

To clarify the diagnosis and determine further treatment tactics, the patient, after admission to the hospital, undergoes laboratory and instrumental examination, which includes:

a blood test for the level of cardiac enzymes;
electrocardiogram;
echocardiography;
R-graphy of chest organs;
coronary angiography to assess the state of patency of the heart vessels, identify plaques and determine further treatment tactics: stenting, shunting, drug therapy.

Based on the results of the examination, a specified diagnosis is made and the further fate of the patient is decided.

Treatment

Treatment of a heart attack is carried out in a hospital setting. The timing depends on the severity of the condition, complications, comorbidity and age. On average, treatment takes 2 weeks in the absence of complications and operations.

Patients with myocardial infarction are in the intensive care unit or intensive care unit for the first 3 days, after stabilization of their condition they are transferred to the general cardiology department. It is not recommended to stop therapy early and leave the walls of the medical institution. With an irresponsible attitude to one's health, the risk of a relapse increases significantly, complications may develop.

Medications

The patient is shown taking medications that can avoid a second heart attack and an attack of angina pectoris. Treatment is complex and includes taking drugs from several groups at once:

Beta blockers. They reduce the load on the heart, the level of blood pressure and normalize the rhythm of the heart (,).
Antiplatelet agents. Prevent thrombosis, thin the blood ( , ThromboASS ).
Statins. Reduce the level, reduce the volume of plaque in the vessel ( , ).
Diuretics. Unload the heart muscle due to the output excess fluid and elimination of puffiness ( , ).
Cardioprotectors. Helps the heart muscle to recover , ).

Procedures and operations

There are several methods of surgical treatment aimed at restoring normal blood circulation in the heart muscle:

Coronary angiography followed by balloon angioplasty or stenting of the coronary arteries. Balloon angioplasty involves the expansion of a vessel narrowed by plaque by inflating the balloon. The operation allows you to get rid of the consequences of ischemia, but does not eliminate its causes. To preserve the shape of the vessel, a stent is inserted into it - a special device made of thin material that fixes the width of the vessel by means of a spacer.
Coronary artery bypass grafting and mammary coronary bypass grafting. The blood flow is restored by suturing the shunt and creating a circulatory bypass. The role of the shunt is the own veins taken from the lower extremities.

First aid for a heart attack

The danger of a heart attack lies in its transition to myocardial infarction. Help must be provided immediately to avoid death. A heart attack can happen at the most inopportune moment: while driving a car, during a plane flight, on the way home. What to do if you have a heart attack if you are alone at home:

take a comfortable position of the body, stop any physical activity, behave calmly and do not fuss;
call the ambulance medical care, to do this, dial the number "103" on your cell phone, describe your condition in detail and follow the instructions.

Until the ambulance arrives, put a pill under your tongue, chew it. Acetylsalicylic acid prevents the formation of blood clots, thins the blood, which prevents myocardial infarction from progressing and does not increase the area of necrosis in the heart muscle. If you have experienced similar situations before and your doctor gave you certain recommendations, then it's time to use them.

Measure your pulse and blood pressure if you have a blood pressure monitor at home. In no case should the patient be given, because. these drugs depress the nervous system, which can make it difficult to diagnose the patient's condition. Coughing helps to activate blood circulation in the chest. Take a deep breath, then cough as you exhale as loudly as possible for 2 seconds. With the right first aid, a person's life can be saved. An indirect heart massage in the absence of breathing and pulse in a patient can also save a life.

First aid provided by the ambulance

The doctors who arrived at the scene provide the patient with first aid, after which they deliver him to the hospital for further treatment. Main measures:

oxygen therapy (use of a special oxygen mask);
the use of an anticoagulant or injection to reduce blood clotting and improve hemodynamic parameters;
the use of neuroleptics and analgesics in the form of a dropper can stop the pain syndrome (used , ).

In rare emergency cases, defibrillator for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. An electrical discharge is able to restore a normal rhythm in the work of the heart and prevent it from stopping. First aid for a heart attack in women includes identical activities and manipulations.

Prevention

To prevent the development of a heart attack, you must adhere to certain rules:

Monitor your diet and weight. Give up the abuse of salty and fatty foods, follow the correct drinking regimen. Avoid foods and drinks that can raise your blood pressure completely. Try to eat foods rich in B vitamins, magnesium and potassium.
Quit bad habits like smoking. Nicotine not only provokes the progression of atherosclerosis, but also thickens the blood, provoking thrombosis.
Walk in the fresh air, do exercises, do not neglect therapeutic exercises. Maintain physical fitness at the proper level for your age. Regular physical education can stimulate blood circulation, maintain vascular tone, which helps to avoid an attack.
Monitor your blood pressure, measure it twice a day, and take your doctor's prescribed antihypertensive drugs regularly.
Every 6 months, see a doctor for preventive purposes.
Do breathing exercises, do relaxation and relaxation exercises. Try to avoid stressful situations, or find your own way to put the emotional background in order (yoga, meditation).

heart attack in men

In representatives of the strong half of humanity, a heart attack often goes away with complications due to prolonged ignorance of all symptoms. In men, the pain syndrome can be more pronounced.

Heart attack in women

In women, a heart attack is less likely to lead to complications. The main symptoms are the same as in men. First aid is provided as standard.

Forecast

The prognosis after a heart attack depends on several factors at once. A huge role is played by lifestyle and the presence of other chronic diseases. Failure to follow the doctor's recommendations, the presence of bad habits can lead to a second heart attack with complications. The most favorable prognosis is for patients who follow the doctor's advice, are regularly examined and try to lead a healthy lifestyle.

List of sources

Skvortsov Yu.I., Doctor of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor Skvortsov V.V., Ph.D. Tumarenko A.V., Ph.D. Skvortsov K.Yu., Skvortsova E.M., Yusupova A.M. "Actual issues of diagnosis and drug therapy of stable angina pectoris", article "BC", 2009
Lupanov V.P. Tactics of treatment and management of patients with stable angina pectoris. 2005
Perepech N.B. Rational combination therapy of stable angina pectoris. SPbMGA them. I.I. Mechnikova, 2003

A heart attack, especially in such unstable weather conditions, happens on the streets with increasing frequency. It happens when the blood supply to the heart is suddenly blocked.

We invite you to find out what are the causes, signs and symptoms of a heart attack, as well as how to properly provide first aid to the victim. Also, follow the tips on how to avoid a heart attack prematurely.

Causes of a heart attack

At that moment, when the blood does not flow to the heart, then, accordingly, the supply of oxygen to the heart muscle also stops, which can lead to its death. The cessation of blood supply occurs because so-called "plaques" appear in the human body in the form of accumulations of fat, which are located in the coronary arteries. Fat "plaques" form dangerous blood clots, leading to blockage of the arteries.

If the plaque blocks the flow of blood to the heart only partially, such a situation, which increases the risk of a heart attack, is called angina pectoris.

Clinical death from a heart attack can form even within the first minutes after the onset of a heart attack. The consequences of a heart attack, as a rule, are irreversible, therefore, early recognition of this pathological condition and adequate prevention of recurrent incidents are extremely important.

Causes of a heart attack should be known to everyone

The risk of a heart attack may increase due to many various reasons:

Age is the main risk factor. Heart attacks are more common in men over 45 and in women over 55.

- the presence of angina pectoris - a cardiological disease in which the heart muscle does not receive part of the oxygen; the difference between angina pectoris and a heart attack is that during an angina attack, improvement will occur 15-30 minutes after taking the medication, and there is no improvement in a heart attack;

- the level of cholesterol in the blood: it is with an increased level of cholesterol in a person that the risk of blood clots in the arteries increases;

- Diabetes is also one of the negative factors, where people are placed at an increased risk of developing a heart attack;

- genetic predisposition to cardiovascular diseases;

– hypertension (high blood pressure);

- lack of physical activity;

– old heart surgery – people who have undergone heart surgery in the past have a high risk of myocardial infarction;

- smoking - such dependence increases the risk of a heart attack by a much greater number of times;

- a poor-quality diet, that is, a diet in which a person consumes large quantities of animal meat or saturated fats;

Pre-heart attack - usually one already experienced heart attack significantly increases the risk of a second heart attack.

Symptoms and signs of a heart attack

Doctors note that a typical manifestation of a heart attack is the appearance of pain behind the sternum, extending to the neck, throat, hands. Such pain is long lasting and can be dull, stabbing, cutting, but most often patients describe this condition as "intense burning behind the sternum."

It is important not to confuse the signs of a heart attack with other diseases.

At this moment, the patient has sweat on his face, his feeling of fear and weakness is exacerbated, since part of the heart ceases to function. Other signs of a heart attack include dizziness, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, coughing, nausea, and vomiting.

In people suffering diabetes, or those over 75, may experience a "silent heart attack" that is not accompanied by any symptoms.

Heart attack: symptoms in men, in women, causes, treatment

Heart attack is one of the main causes of female and male mortality. Unfortunately, no one is immune from it.

A heart attack is a blockage of one heart artery, which is accompanied by severe pain and other unpleasant symptoms. Such a sharp violation of blood circulation has a negative impact on the entire human body. It is necessary to call an ambulance in time and provide first aid to the patient.

You need to act quickly and correctly, otherwise the consequences of an attack can be fatal.

The main risk group are people with and atherosclerosis. As well as other diseases that are associated with the work of the cardiovascular system.

The age of people prone to seizures: from 45 years for men, and from 55 years for women.

Causes

Blockage of the heart artery and the occurrence of pain occurs due to cardiological problems and diseases. And also because of the deposits of fat on the walls of blood vessels, or because of the blood clots formed there.

The elderly are usually the most susceptible to a heart attack. They tend to have more heart problems. This disease is most often manifested in males.

Also, it becomes a fairly common cause of a heart attack. Respiratory functions are disturbed and the effect of suffocation occurs. All this is accompanied by heart rhythm failures and severe pain in the chest area.

The manifestation of angina pectoris can be caused by frequent smoking or too heavy physical exertion.

But there are a number of other factors that are also provocateurs of a heart attack:

abuse of alcohol and tobacco products;
excess body weight;
fatigue, signs of constant fatigue;
, high rates when measuring the pulse;
anxiety, unreasonable feeling of fear;
hypertension;
(their walls shrink and interfere with normal blood circulation);
doing too much physical exercise;
complete lack of sports;
metabolic problems;
genetic predisposition;
high levels of cholesterol;
stressful periods in life;
violation of the daily routine;
thrombophilia (the tendency to form blood clots in the vessels).

How to recognize a heart attack

One of the main symptoms of a heart attack in both men and women is chest pain. But this sign can refer to any other disease, for example, to.

There are several signs by which you can accurately determine a heart attack.

During an attack, pain from the thoracic region gradually spreads throughout the body. First on the face and neck, then on the arms, and gradually moving to the back and stomach.

This process can take place in a few minutes. But sometimes, such a movement of pain sensations through the body lasts for hours.

To be able to accurately determine a heart attack, you need to pay attention to the following conditions:

The occurrence of pain

With a heart attack, pain occurs from strong emotional overload. And when, the pain appears either from sudden movements, or absolutely for no reason.

Under what circumstances does pain disappear?

During a heart attack, pain can be relieved with nitroglycerin medications. A few minutes after taking the pill, the pain disappears. And with neuralgia, drugs of this type do not have the desired effect, and the pain does not go away.

The nature of pain

Neuralgia is characterized by girdle pain, which can be aggravated by sudden movement, coughing, or breathing too hard. And during a heart attack, a person feels a stabbing or pressing pain.

Heart attack symptoms

Symptoms in women and men are slightly different.

But still, the main features are almost the same for everyone. These include:

sudden onset of shortness of breath;
chest pain;
severe dizziness, fainting;
change in skin color (acquires a pale gray tint);
nausea;
excessive sweating;
gagging;
bouts of coughing.

heart attack in men

As you know, the male part of the population is most susceptible to various problems with the cardiovascular system. They also include a high risk of a heart attack. Such statistics were obtained based on the characteristics of physiology and psychologists.

Men are much more likely than women to be overweight. And also, many of them abuse smoking and alcohol.

Blood circulation in the male body is different from the female. slightly less.

In addition, most men experience stress not only at work, but also at home. From all these factors, the conclusion is that men are indeed the most at risk of having a heart attack.

There are several primary signs to look out for in order to prevent serious heart problems. For example, a decrease in male potency in too early age for such a problem.

Heart attack in women

Female representatives by nature have a more resilient cardiovascular system. This is due to the fact that the function of bearing and producing offspring is biologically inherent in women.

That is why a heart attack in women is not as common as in men. But at a more mature age, with the onset of menopause, the chances of developing heart problems increase.

During a heart attack, symptoms in women may appear slightly differently than in men. Since in the female body, mainly small heart vessels are clogged. Pain in the chest area often manifests itself as burning rather than pressing.

First aid for a heart attack

When such a situation arises, it is very important to know what to do. And act not only quickly, but also correctly. In many ways, the fate of a person depends on the quality of first aid provided.

In order for first aid for a heart attack at home to be as effective and useful as possible, you must follow a few rules:

To begin with, it is important to understand that it was a heart attack that occurred. How to do this was described above;
then you need to call an ambulance team, and describe in as much detail as possible to the dispatcher all the signs and symptoms. While the medics are on the way, further first aid steps should be taken;
you need to put the patient on a soft surface and fix it so that the head is slightly raised. A person should feel as comfortable as possible, his breathing should not be hindered by anything;
should be given to the patient Nitroglycerin tablet(put under the tongue). It will relieve pain. And also, in this situation aspirin will help a lot. Since this drug prevents the formation of blood clots in the vessels and thereby improves blood circulation;
It is very important that there is good air circulation in the room and that the patient can breathe easily and freely. If necessary, you can open the window;
in the event that after a few minutes after taking nitroglycerin the pain did not go away, you need to take another pill. It is advisable to measure the patient's pressure. It is not recommended to take nitroglycerin again if it is lowered.

It is possible that after repeated administration of the drug, signs of weakness, nausea and sweating will appear. In this case, you need to put the patient so that his legs are on a hill. And also, give him a glass of water.

When the ambulance arrives, it is necessary to clearly describe to the doctor all the signs of a heart attack noticed, as well as the general condition of the patient. And show all the drugs that he took.

There is a breathing practice that can be used when a heart attack occurs. It can be used in cases where the necessary drugs are not at hand.

It is especially useful to know these actions for an elderly person who lives alone more often than others. First of all, of course, you need to call an ambulance, and then act on your own:

to begin with, you need to exhale as deeply as possible;
then start coughing hard. Preferably, a lot of times;
such exercises should be done with maximum intensity every 2-3 seconds.

Such actions help restore the rhythm of the heart, and also provide it with oxygen.

Treatment

As a first aid, the following drugs are indicated to the patient:

Nitroglycerine;
Aspirin and other antiplatelet agents;
Beta blockers.

The rest of the treatment of the patient is aimed only at reducing the risk of recurrence of a heart attack.

Consequences of a heart attack

Many people who have had a heart attack experience various problems:

heart rhythm failures;
decreased productivity at work;
deterioration of mood, apathy.

Against the background of a heart attack, there is a risk of various complications:

vascular thrombosis;
swelling of the respiratory system.

Prevention

The most important preventive action is to give up all bad habits and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

It is necessary to engage in active activities, spend as much time in the fresh air as possible. Do not overload the body with too heavy physical exertion. And also, it is worth reconsidering your diet.

It is necessary to exclude from the main diet too fatty foods, where the cholesterol content is high. Healthy sleep is an important factor.

It is necessary to establish a daily routine and sleep for 7-8 hours. And of course you should avoid constant stress and nervous situations.

Heart attack symptoms

A heart attack is a life-threatening emergency that requires prompt action. Do not ignore even minor symptoms of a heart attack. Immediate treatment reduces damage to the heart and saves lives.

Characteristic symptoms

They vary from person to person. Not all heart attacks begin with the sudden, crushing chest pain that sufferers talk about the most. In some cases, symptoms do not occur, especially when the patient has diabetes mellitus.

Most often, pain and discomfort occurs that extend beyond the chest and spread to other parts of the upper half of the body (one or both arms, back, neck, abdomen, teeth, and lower jaw).

The heart attack clinic may begin slowly, with mild pain and discomfort in the chest. Sometimes it happens that the patient is resting or doing physical activity and suddenly feels a sharp pain in the region of the heart. The severity of the signs of MI largely depends on the age, sex and health of the patient.

Warning symptoms

Usually defined:

A feeling of discomfort in the chest, felt as pressure, fullness, or squeezing pain, lasting for more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
Unexplained shortness of breath or feeling of difficulty taking a full breath, with or without chest discomfort

Additional symptoms may include:

Cold sweat
Fear of death
Pale skin
Fast and weak heartbeat
Nausea or vomiting
Dizziness, weakness
Anxiety, indigestion.

Women are more likely than men to have additional symptoms such as neck, shoulder, upper back, or abdominal pain.

Symptoms of a heart attack that may occur up to a month before it occurs

Chronic stress and busy work schedule contribute to the development of a heart attack. But the prevention of an emergency is a separate topic, so now only the signs by which an approaching threat can be recognized will be indicated.

Fatigue and "eternal sleepiness" - when the vessels narrow excessively and for a long time, the central nervous system the first to react to a lack of oxygen, since it is very sensitive to this. At the same time, there are signs such as drowsiness, melancholy, fatigue that occur for no apparent reason.
Confused breathing - if the heart begins to malfunction due to a lack of oxygen, then the normal process of gas exchange is also disturbed in the lungs. Therefore, a violation of the functioning of the cardiovascular system immediately affects the activity of the lungs and this is most often expressed in intermittent breathing.
Attacks of "cold" - some patients experience a feeling of cold in the whole body a few days before a heart attack, they are freezing and it seems that the flu is developing. In such cases, an important difference from an infectious disease is the temperature within the normal range. If this was observed in close relatives, then you need to visit a cardiologist without delay.

First aid for a heart attack

If a person has identified chest discomfort or other symptoms of a heart attack in his neighbor, you should immediately call the ambulance service. While the first impulse may be to take the victim of a heart attack to the hospital, it is best to get or provide an ambulance at the scene. At the same time, emergency medical personnel can start treatment on the way to the medical facility. They are trained in resuscitation if a person's cardiac activity has stopped (heart has stopped).

If you cannot contact an ambulance, you need to take the victim to the hospital. If the victim is yourself, you need to go to the hospital if there is no other way out.

In many cases, treatment is delayed because there is doubt whether a heart attack really occurred? Often victims in such cases do not want to worry or worry about their friends and relatives once again.

It is important to remember that a heart attack is a critical condition, so it is always better to worry once again, but be safe than sorry..

Acting quickly can save a life. If the necessary medicines are used as quickly as possible after the onset of the first symptoms, the risk of death and the occurrence of various complications can be significantly reduced. In particular, drugs are used to thicken the blood and dilate the arteries, which can stop the progression of a heart attack, and even a closed blood vessel can open during catheterization with an inserted stent.

The more time passes from the onset of an attack to treatment, the lower the chances of survival, as the degree of damage to the heart worsens.

About half of those who die from heart attacks seek help an hour or more after the onset of the clinical picture.

First aid provided in case of a heart attack before the arrival of doctors:

You need to try to calm down the injured person.
The patient must be laid down or seated.
If the person is not allergic to aspirin, chew or swallow the appropriate dose, usually 0.3 g. (Aspirin works faster when chewed rather than swallowed whole).
Nitroglycerin, which should be taken at a dose of 0.5 g, can improve blood supply.
If the patient has stopped breathing, a nearby person with the appropriate qualifications or skills should immediately perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). If there is no knowledge of how to perform CPR, the ambulance operator can help with CPR even before the arrival of the medical team.

First aid to yourself when no one is around

During a heart attack, people often remain at one with themselves and at such moments it is extremely difficult to reach anyone. A person can be at home himself, in the evening on a deserted street or somewhere on the road in a car. In this case, it may happen that the phone is discharged, and there is no one around at all.

It is important to know that only a few minutes can pass from the moment myocardial infarction begins to loss of consciousness due to lack of oxygen, and during this time you need to improve your condition enough to get to the nearest hospital.

To slow down the development of myocardial infarction, you need to do the following:

Cough actively - before that, you need to take a deep breath and then cough just as deeply, about every two seconds for several minutes. Such an action will allow the lungs to fill with oxygen and restore normal cardiac activity. Ideally, this coughing should be done before the ambulance arrives.
It is important not to panic, but to try to calm down and relax, although with MI, on the contrary, the fear of death often overcomes. But excitement only contributes to vasoconstriction and circulatory disorders (since adrenaline is released during stress, narrowing the arteries), so this will only aggravate the course of the attack.
Be sure to try to call an ambulance or contact someone for help. In such cases, it is not even a shame to knock on closed windows and doors, because life depends on it.
If you have aspirin and nitroglycerin with you, then you need to take them at a dose of 0.3 and 0.5, respectively. It is better not to use other heart drugs, as there is a risk of only worsening the course of the disease.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is an emergency life-saving procedure performed when the heart stops beating or breathing stops.

Immediate CPR can double or triple your chances of survival after cardiac arrest. This procedure is especially necessary when there is no other medical equipment such as a defibrillator nearby to start the heart.

Maintaining circulation - even partial circulation - increases the chances for successful resuscitation while waiting for the arrival of medical personnel.

CPR is a critical step in the chain of survival represented by the world's cardiology organizations. Today, there are five links in the adult community survival chain:

Determining cardiac arrest and calling an ambulance.
Early CPR with emphasis on chest compressions.
Rapid defibrillation.
Basic and emergency medical services.
Active life support and care after cardiac arrest.

A well-organized chain of survival can reduce the risk of death and improve the patient's recovery process after cardiac arrest.

The most reliable way to deliver CPR is with an automated external defibrillator (AED). The devices can greatly increase a victim's chances of surviving a heart attack. To minimize defibrillation time in cardiac arrest patients, preparation for the procedure should not be limited to trained individuals (although training is still recommended).

Performing CPR

There are two widely known ways to perform CPR:

For medical workers and trained individuals: conventional CPR using chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth breathing with an appropriate ratio of 30:2. min and to a depth of at least 5 cm for the average adult, avoiding an excessive depth of chest compression (6 cm). Otherwise, complications such as rib fractures, etc., may occur.
For people who have witnessed the sudden fall of an adult: CPR is only performed using hand compression. Hands-Only CPR is CPR without mouth-to-mouth breathing. This method is recommended for use by people who have seen an adult fall suddenly in a non-hospital setting (eg, at home, at work, in a park, or other public place).

Hands-Only CPR consists of two simple steps:

You need to call an ambulance or send someone for medical workers.
The victim should be laid on a flat surface, the hands providing CPR are located in the center of the chest and rhythmic pressure is applied back and forth

CPR can be performed by anyone, including bystanders who happen to be close to the victim. There are five important components of successful CPR:

Minimize interruptions in chest pressure.
Performing chest compressions at an adequate speed and to the required depth (5-6 cm in adults).
Avoid relying on the victim between compressions.
Ensuring proper hand placement.
Prevention of overactive ventilation.

Thus, even non-professional performance of CPR allows, in some cases, to maintain a person in a state acceptable for revival.

It is important to prepare in advance for a heart attack

No one is able to plan a heart attack and does not know where and how it will occur, so it is better to be prepared in advance. This is especially true for those people who have an increased risk of developing myocardial infarction. Steps that can be taken before symptoms begin include:

Memorize a list of heart attack symptoms and warning signs.
Remember to call an ambulance within 5 minutes of the onset of an attack.
Talk to family and friends about warning signs and the importance of calling an ambulance immediately.
Know your risk factors and do what you can to reduce them.
Create a heart attack immediate response plan that includes information about:
- about the medicines to be taken;
- about possible allergic reactions;
- the telephone number of the attending physician;
- about all the relatives who need to be contacted if you have to go to the hospital.

You need to store this information in your wallet or other quickly accessible place.

In addition, you need to think in advance about your charges and talk with those who can take care of them if an emergency arises.

Video: HOW TO RECOGNIZE AND PREVENT A HEART ATTACK IN A MONTH

Symptoms and first signs

How to distinguish from neuralgia and PA?

How to behave during an attack?

How is first aid provided?

Hospital treatment

Medical therapy

Surgical intervention

Rehabilitation

Prevention

Forecast

Pathogenesis

Classification

Causes

Heart attack symptoms

How to recognize a heart attack?

Heart attack symptoms in women

Symptoms of a heart attack in men

Analyzes and diagnostics

Treatment

Medications

Procedures and operations

First aid for a heart attack

First aid provided by the ambulance

Prevention

heart attack in men

Heart attack in women

Forecast

List of sources

Causes of a heart attack

Symptoms and signs of a heart attack

Heart attack: symptoms in men, in women, causes, treatment

Causes

How to recognize a heart attack

Heart attack symptoms

heart attack in men

Heart attack in women

First aid for a heart attack

Treatment

Consequences of a heart attack

Prevention

Related videos

Heart attack symptoms

Characteristic symptoms

Warning symptoms

Symptoms of a heart attack that may occur up to a month before it occurs

First aid for a heart attack

First aid provided in case of a heart attack before the arrival of doctors:

First aid to yourself when no one is around

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

It is important to prepare in advance for a heart attack