Heart attack By:Natalia Reimers , Juan Pablo Haro, and Nicole Epelsine

What it is?

A heart attack happens when the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a section of heart muscle suddenly becomes blocked and the heart can't get oxygen. If blood flow isn't restored quickly, the section of heart muscle begins to die.

What are some causes?

1) Taking certain drugs, such as cocaine

2)Emotional stress or pain

3)Exposure to extreme cold

4)Cigarette smoking

5) diabetes

6) diet

7)age

Sings and symptoms

The symptoms of a heart attack can vary from person to person. Some people can have few symptoms and are surprised to learn they've had a heart attack. If you've already had a heart attack, your symptoms may not be the same for another one. It is important for you to know the most common symptoms of a heart attack and also remember these facts:

Heart attacks can start slowly and cause only mild pain or discomfort. Symptoms can be mild or more intense and sudden. Symptoms also may come and go over several hours.

People who have high blood sugar (diabetes) may have no symptoms or very mild ones.

The most common symptom, in both men and women, is chest pain or discomfort.

Women are somewhat more likely to have shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, unusual tiredness (sometimes for days), and pain in the back, shoulders, and jaw

Some people don't have symptoms at all. Heart attacks that occur without any symptoms or with very mild symptoms are called silent heart attacks.

MOST COMON SYNTROMS FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN:

Chest pain or discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center or left side of the chest. The discomfort usually lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back. It can feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain. It also can feel like heartburn or indigestion. The feeling can be mild or severe.

Upper body discomfort. You may feel pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, shoulders, neck, jaw, or upper part of the stomach (above the belly button).

Shortness of breath. This may be your only symptom, or it may occur before or along with chest pain or discomfort. It can occur when you are resting or doing a little bit of physical activity.

Diagnosis

EKG (Electrocardiogram):is a simple, painless test that detects and records the heart's electrical activity.

Blood Tests: During a heart attack, heart muscle cells die and release proteins into the bloodstream. Blood tests can measure the amount of these proteins in the bloodstream. Higher than normal levels of these proteins suggest a heart attack.

Coronary Angiography: s a test that uses dye and special x rays to show the insides of your coronary arteries. This test often is done during a heart attack to help find blockages in the coronary arteries.

Treatment

Early treatment for a heart attack can prevent or limit damage to the heart muscle. Acting fast, at the first symptoms of a heart attack, can save your life.

Oxygen therapy

Aspirin to thin your blood and prevent further blood clotting

Nitroglycerin to reduce your heart's workload and improve blood flow through the coronary arteries

Treatment for chest pain

preventions

Following a healthy diet is an important part of a heart healthy lifestyle. A healthy diet includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It also includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, and fat-free or low-fat milk or milk products. A healthy diet is low in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium (salt), and added sugars.

Be as physically active as you can. Physical activity can improve your fitness level and your health. Talk with your doctor about what types of activity are safe for you

Quit smoking

Life after a heart attack

After you have had a heart attack you can go back to your normal life style. Except you should have more caution in what you do because you at higher risk of getting another one.

Different types

1)

An ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a serious form of heart attack in which a coronary artery is completely blocked and a large part of the heart muscle is unable to receive blood. “ST segment elevation” refers to a pattern that shows up on an electrocardiogram (EKG).

2) NSTEMI Heart Attacks

A non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) is a type of heart attack that does not show a change in the ST segment elevation on an electrocardiogram and that results in less damage to the patient’s heart. However, these patients will test positively for a protein called troponin in their blood that is released from the heart muscle when it is damaged. In NSTEMI heart attacks, it is likely that any coronary artery blockages are partial or temporary.

Different types

3) Coronary Artery Spasm

A coronary artery spasm is when the artery wall tightens and blood flow through the artery is restricted – potentially leading to chest pain, or blood flow is cut off all together – causing a heart attack. Coronary artery spasm comes and goes. Because there may not be a build-up of plaque or a blood clot in the artery, a coronary artery spasm may not be discovered by an imaging test called an angiogram that is typically performed to check arteries for blockages.

4) Demand Ischemia

Demand ischemia is another type of heart attack for which blockages in the arteries may not be present. It occurs when a patient’s heart needs more oxygen than is available in the body’s supply. It may occur in patients with infection, anemia, or tachyarrhythmias (abnormally fast heart rates). Blood tests will show the presence of enzymes that indicate damage to the heart muscle.

Pictures

What are the probabilities?

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8P3n6GKBSY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQVEdFSlUGU&list=PL1B3213F91CFDB3E3

Bibliographies

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/heartattack/

http://www.medicinenet.com/coronary_artery_disease_screening_tests_cad/article.htm

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/151444.php

http://www.scai.org/SecondsCount/Resources/Detail.aspx?cid=d7afebbf-d04c-4345-a9cd-50e562e58e9b

http://trcs.wikispaces.com/Heart+Attack

http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/default.htm?names-dropdown=KY