Talking about heart attacks and strokes is no longer strange. Heart disease is one of the most common diseases around the world. However, it may surprise and astonish some to the occurrence of this situation to some of the healthy young people. So what is it Causes of a heart attack Risk factors and how can they be prevented?

What is a heart attack?

A heart attack is a medical emergency that prevents blood from reaching the heart due to a loss of blood flow to it. This is usually caused by blockage of the coronary artery that supplies the heart muscle.

Other names include myocardial infarction, or myocardial infarction. The risk of a heart attack increases after the age of 45 for men, and for women after the age of 55.

Symptoms of a heart attack

Heart attack symptoms and severity may vary from one person to another, and their symptoms may differ between men and women. Some may suffer from a sudden heart attack without symptoms, which is known as a silent heart attack. However, the most common symptoms are:

• Chest pain usually in the middle of the chest or on the left side of it
• Pain in the jaw, neck, back, shoulder or arms
• hard breathing
• pallor
• cold sweats
• Cough
• Nausea or vomiting
• Insomnia
• sudden dizziness

Causes of a heart attack

It is considered one of the most important causes of myocardial infarction:

1. Clogged arteries

The blockage of one or more of the coronary arteries is the main cause of most heart attacks, as a result of the formation of plaques formed from fatty deposits, including cholesterol, in the coronary arteries, which carry out the task of nourishing the heart, where the plaques break down causing blood clots, which may eventually lead to damage to part of the muscle the heart.

2. Coronary artery spasm

Coronary artery spasm (a spasm of a coronary artery) is a temporary narrowing of the wall of an artery that may result in a stoppage of blood or a decrease in its flow to a part of the heart muscle. Although it is an uncommon cause, it may occur as a result of several factors such as the use of tobacco, and narcotic substances such as cocaine.

3. Corona virus infection

Infection with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) may damage part of the heart muscle, which may result in a heart attack.

Most common risk factor

The most common risk factors for heart attacks are:

1. When you wake up

Before you wake up, your heart prepares for a new day by pumping stress hormones into your bloodstream. Which makes your heart beat quicken and starts boosting blood pressure from your low sleep time. This activity ensures adequate blood flow through your blood vessels by the time you are ready to get up.

So the risk of cardiovascular problems may increase between waking up and noon. It may contribute to the slight dehydration that may occur during sleeping hours.

2. Extreme anger

Many studies indicate that extreme anger may also increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.

3. Disasters and wars

Where many studies have found that the rates of exposure to heart attacks increase in disasters such as earthquakes, exposure to terrorist operations, or areas where wars broke out.

4. Temperature changes

A high or very low weather temperature may lead to heart and blood vessel problems.

5. Air pollution

One of the causes of a heart attack or stroke is air pollution from car and factory exhausts.

6. Inflammation of the respiratory tract

One of the most prominent factors causing a heart attack is pneumonia and upper respiratory tract infections. A urinary tract infection can also increase the risk of stroke.

7. Overeating

Excessive intake of fatty foods, especially those rich in fats and carbohydrates, increases the risk of infection.

8. Chronic diseases

Where chronic diseases lead to an increased risk of heart attack, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol, and exposure to a previous heart attack.

9. Severe physical stress

Doing strenuous physical activities may increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Complications of a heart attack

There are two types of complications. The first type occurs immediately after a heart attack as an immediate complication, and the second type occurs later.

immediate complications

The most prominent immediate complications include:

• Arrhythmia A result of a very fast or very slow heartbeat.
• Cardiogenic shock And resulting from low blood pressure, which impedes the ability of the heart to supply the body with sufficient blood so that it works as required.
• Hypoxemia As a result of very low levels of oxygen in the blood.
• pulmonary edema; As a result of the accumulation of fluid in the lungs and the surrounding area.
• Deep vein thrombosis As a result of a lack of blood flow in the vein.
• myocardial rupture, Having a heart attack may increase the risk of a rupture of the heart wall.
• Ventricular aneurysm Which leads to distention and enlargement of the ventricle.

subsequent complications

Complications after a heart attack:

1. Aneurysm

It occurs when parts of the arteries such as the aorta weaken, leading to blood clots, low blood pressure, and abnormal heart rhythms. An aneurysm may also lead to a rupture of the artery wall, which could be life-threatening.

2. Angina pectoris

Angina pectoris may occur as a result of not getting enough oxygen to the heart muscle, which results in severe chest pain.

3. Congestive heart failure

Which occurs as a result of the inability of the heart muscle to pump blood as it should. Which weakens the heartbeat and causes shortness of breath. However, some treatments may help treat symptoms of heart failure, along with the need to follow a healthy lifestyle.

4. Edema

Edema or ascites leads to swelling due to the accumulation of excess fluid in body tissues such as the ankles, legs, hands and feet, which causes them to swell.

5. Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction in men is usually caused by a problem with the blood vessels. However, it may also be caused by depression.

6. Loss of libido

Exposure to a heart attack may lead to a loss of sexual desire and a decrease in the rate of sexual activity, especially in men.

7. Pericarditis

The pericardium is a thick covering surrounding the heart, so infection with pericarditis or inflammation of the lining of the heart may result in the appearance of some symptoms, most notably severe chest pain.

Therefore, in the event of a heart attack, the patient must follow up with the doctor for a few months after exposure to the injury, in order to reduce the risk of any heart attack complications.

How to prevent the risk of infection?

In order to reduce the risk of this serious disease. You must follow a healthy lifestyle, which includes:

• stop smoking
• Avoid drugs
• Eat healthy foods
• Get enough sleep and rest
• Diabetic patients should monitor their condition so that the condition does not deteriorate
• Maintaining blood cholesterol levels
• Maintaining blood pressure
• Getting rid of obesity and excess weight
• Avoid excessive stress

Now that you know the causes of heart attack and risk factors. If you need medical advice about any of the heart diseases or other diseases and symptoms. You can contact one of the accredited doctors through this link.