Infarction may occur without symptoms, but in most cases the signs and symptoms of a heart attack may be:
- Chest pain for a few minutes or hours
- Pain or feeling of heaviness in the left arm
- Pain with irradiation to the back, jaw or just to the inner side of the arms
- Tingling in the arms or hands
- Shortness of breath
- Excessive sweat or cold sweat
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Pallor
- Anxiety
What to do in case of Heart Attack
If you suspect you are having a heart attack, you should stay calm and call an ambulance immediately. Do not ignore the symptoms and do not think it will pass.
It is essential to seek medical attention urgently, as early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential for success in treatment.
When a heart attack is noticed in advance, your doctor may prescribe medications that dissolve blood clots that prevent the passage of blood to the heart.
In some cases, a surgical procedure may be necessary for revascularization of the cardiac muscle, which may be through thoracic surgery or interventional radiology ("stents").
Treatment for heart attack
The treatment for heart attack, or heart attack, is to reestablish blood flow to the heart. Initially, patients who do not have allergies are indicated for two ASA or aspirin tablets. In addition, medications such as isosorbide dinitrate (isordil) or nitroglycerin may be offered to patients in order to decrease pain, as medications that will dilate coronary vessels, improving blood flow. Then, depending on the type of infarction and the location where the patient was treated, he may undergo cardiac catheterization or a medication that has the function of breaking the atheroma plaque that is closing the vessel may be applied.
Cardiac catheterization is important in assessing the site and extent of obstruction. According to the need, angioplasty is indicated, which consists of placing a thin tube in the artery (stent), which pushes the fat plate and makes room for the blood to pass. In cases where there are many vessels involved or depending on the obstructed artery, coronary artery bypass grafting may be necessary.
The latter is a more delicate operation where the doctor removes part of an artery from another region of the body and attaches to the coronary so as to change the blood flow.
After the procedure chosen, the patient should remain hospitalized for a few days. At home, he should avoid efforts and feed himself properly. In addition, it will be necessary to take medications for the heart for a lifetime.
