Heart Attack

What is a heart attack?

A heart attack happens when your heart is deprived of oxygen. This typically happens if there is a blockage preventing blood flow into your heart. The arteries supplying your heart muscle with oxygen-rich blood can become narrower over time because of a condition called atherosclerosis. It occurs when plaque, made up of fat and cholesterol, builds up in your arteries.

Heart attacks can seemingly come without warning because atherosclerosis doesn’t usually cause symptoms by itself. If an artery to your heart narrows because of atherosclerosis, other nearby arteries often expand to make up for the lack of blood flow from the affected artery. You’re at a higher risk of atherosclerosis, and of having a heart attack, if you smoke, are obese, and are over 50. 

What are the signs and symptoms of a heart attack?

Becoming familiar with the typical signs and symptoms of a heart attack could save your life or the life of a loved one. During a heart attack, you might experience:

• Chest pain or tightness
• Pain in your neck or jaw
• Arm pain
• Back pain
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Fear or terror
• Sweating
• Fatigue
• Lightheadedness

It’s important to note that heart attack symptoms can vary from person-to-person. If you think you’re having a heart attack, you should stop what you’re doing immediately and rest. You should also seek medical attention right away. 

How are heart attacks treated?

A heart attack requires emergency care in the moment. Immediate care for a heart attack may involve a defibrillator or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if you stop breathing. 

Dr. Yashar can provide ongoing treatment after your heart attack to improve your heart health and prevent another heart attack from occurring. As part of your treatment, he might recommend:

Lifestyle changes

Preventing another heart attack may be as simple as making some healthy changes to your lifestyle. Dr. Yashar might suggest eating less sodium in your diet, exercising more frequently, avoiding smoking, or learning to manage your stress. 

Medications 

There are many medications available to prevent complications leading to another heart attack. Dr. Yashar might prescribe beta blockers, statins, antiplatelets, or other drugs to improve your cardiovascular health. 

Surgery

If medications and lifestyle changes can’t effectively improve your heart health, Dr. Yashar might recommend surgery. Angioplasty, for example, is a surgery to widen your artery and improve blood flow to your heart. 

Book an appointment by phone or online with Payam R. Yashar, MD, to find out how to lower your risk for a heart attack today.