Hundreds of thousands of people are admitted to hospital every year after experiencing a heart attack. While not as deadly as cardiac arrests, heart attacks still claim many lives every year (cardiac arrests are often preceded by a heart attack). Could you be at risk? This post takes a look at some of the warning signs and how to prevent yourself from experiencing a heart attack.

What is a heart attack?

A heart attack (also known as a myocardial infarction) occurs when the blood supply to the heart is blocked. This can happen if there is too much fat in the arteries or if an artery collapses due to high blood pressure. If the blockage is not treated, the heart muscle starts to die.

A heart attack is different to a cardiac arrest. When you have a heart attack, the heart continues beating at an erratic pace and you are still conscious. A cardiac arrest on the other hand causes the heart to stop beating and you immediately become unconscious. If not treated, heart attacks can lead to cardiac arrests. Immediate CPR & first aid is required to save someone’s life if they are having a cardiac arrest.

Who is at risk of a heart attack?

Several factors make you more at risk of experiencing a heart attack. These include:

Being over 50 years old
Having a family history of heart disease
Having high blood pressure
Being overweight
Being a smoker
Being a heavy drinker
Having diabetes
Being an unhealthy eater
Experiencing chronic stress

Warning signs of a heart attack

You may be about to experience a heart attack if you experience any of the following symptoms:

Chest pain
Pain in the arms, jaw, back or stomach
Shortness of breath
Swelling
Persistent coughing
Nausea
Fatigue
Light-headedness

Such symptoms won’t just occur during the heart attack itself, but may also occur in the weeks and months leading up to it. If you notice these symptoms and they cannot be explained by any other condition, consult a doctor. Tests can be carried to diagnose whether you have cardiovascular disease and medication/lifestyle changes can be prescribed to help ward off a heart attack.

How can you prevent a heart attack from occurring?

If you are at risk of a heart attack, there are various forms of medication that you may be able to take to reduce this risk. This includes ACE inhibitors that can lower blood pressure, nitrates that can relax blood vessels, diuretics that can remove excess fluid or beta blockers that can slow the heart rate. Taking aspirin may also help to prevent blood clots forming.

Lifestyle changes are also often necessary to prevent a heart attack. This includes adopting a healthy diet, quitting smoking, drinking less alcohol, exercising regularly (but not overdoing it) and reducing stress in your life.

It’s worth noting that other conditions like diabetes can lead to a heart attack and managing these conditions is key for prevention. Other conditions that can precede a heart attack include high blood pressure, an irregular heart beat, a stroke, COPD or obesity.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.