Life After a Heart Attack: Recovery Steps and Preventive Measures

When an artery responsible for supplying blood and oxygen to the heart becomes clogged, it results in a situation known as a heart attack. Over time, deposits of fat and cholesterol accumulate in the heart's arteries to create plaques. If the plaque ruptures, a blood clot starts developing around the heart. An artery blockage from the clot may result in a heart attack. A heart attack might also result in the death of cardiac muscle tissue because of  reduction in blood supply.

Cause of Heart Attack

The primary cause behind a heart attack is the eruption of the plaque accumulated on the blood vessels for a while, ultimately resulting in clogs around the heart. Besides that, a few additional causes might trigger heart problems. 

Infections

Infections such as COVID-19 have the potential to create damage to the heart muscle. 

Anomalous coronary arteries 

This rare condition is discovered after a child's birth. Under this condition, the blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart are set at an unusual position. As a result, these arteries might get squeezed or compressed, leading to a heart attack. 

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection

It is one of the rare, life-threatening conditions where a tear is found inside the artery of the heart. This tear might be responsible for the formation of a blood clot leading to a heart attack.

Coronary artery spasm

In this condition, the arteries constrict intermittently, leading to a situation where the heart muscles are deprived of blood flow. Interestingly, coronary artery spasms might occur even if you don't have severe coronary artery disease. 

Symptoms of a Heart Attack

The heart problems symptoms might vary from one individual to another. While some might encounter mild pain others might experience severe pain affecting the entire body. 

Let’s look at the common heart problem symptoms. 

Problem in breathing

Initially, a person might experience shortness of breath, which is later accompanied by severe chest pain. 

Light-headedness

An individual might also experience serious weakness, fatigue, or unconsciousness. 

Pain in the chest

A typical heart problem symptom is pain that begins in the chest. A person might experience uneasiness or discomfort surrounding the middle or left side of the chest. This uncomfortable pressure causes a stinging pain to emerge from the chest. 

Severe pain in the upper body

Besides severe chest pain, an individual might experience discomfort radiating from the shoulders. This pain is extremely uncomfortable but does not increase with body movement. 

Indicators that You Might be Experiencing Heart Attack

Typically, for men, a heart attack might feel like a person is squeezing your chest with extreme pressure, or someone might have dropped a heavy thing on your chest. In mild cases, a person might experience sudden fatigue and increased sweating or feel like losing their senses. 

On the other hand, females might experience a heart attack differently as the symptoms include sudden weakness spreading all over the body, indigestion, a sharp pain radiating from the neck or shoulder, and sleep disturbance, among others. 

Treatment of Heart Attack

Depending on the severity of the heart attack, certain measures ensure these heart problems might not occur in the future. Here are some of the common heart attack preventive measures. 

Rehabilitation

It is a tailored fitness and education programme that instructs patients to strengthen their hearts after heart attack recovery. It emphasises physical activity, a diet low in saturated fat and stress reduction.

Medications

Certain medications might help in reducing the clot formation in the blood vessels. 

Surgery 

Surgery is the ultimate measure, which is undertaken only if the blocked arteries create a threatening life situation for the individual. 

Conclusion 

A heart attack is a medical emergency that results in damaged heart muscle due to an obstructed blood supply to the heart. Therefore, prompt identification and intervention are essential to avoid serious consequences for an individual. Preventive measures are key to maintaining heart health. Have a healthy work-life balance and consume a proper diet to keep your heart in the right shape.