Congestive Heart Failure (Heart Attack), Symptoms, Risk Factors and Prevention

What is Heart Attack?

Congestive heart failure, Heart attack or Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) is exactly a critical and troublesome medical issue being faced today all over the world without any discrimination of class, race or locality. IHD is the main cause of illness and disability leading to death all over the world including USA which is the most advanced country of the world.

The risk factors for Heart Diseases can be reduced by taking some preventive measures.

Today, IHD has become a critical health issue, placing significant burden in terms of death on population and expenditure on individual or public health systems. A careful and sound scientific study revealed that nearly one hundred thousand individuals suffered from Heart Attack in year 2011. The main cause of IHD is tapering of blood vessels called Atherosclerosis that distract the significant equilibrium between Oxygen supply and demand, thus leading to Heart attack.

Heart Attack Symptoms

There are different warning symptoms of heart attack that usually last for at least 10 minutes. The patient may get more than one of these heart attack symptoms:

• Patient feels discomfort or pain in center of the chest which may start suddenly or slowly, and then increases gradually. The patient describes tightness, heaviness, plumpness or hugging in the chest.

• Normally, the pain may be severe or slight, subsequently it may spread to the neck, throat or jaw, shoulders, back, and one or both arms.

• Other symptoms may include shortness of breath, sweating, nausea or vomiting, dizziness.

Heart Attack Reasons or Risk Factors

Major risk factors for Atherosclerotic IHD are:

Non modifiable   :   Modifiable

Age > 45 years   :   Dyslipidemia

Sex; Male           :   Cigarette, Hypertension

Family history of IHD in a parent or a sibling : Severe obesity (>30% overweight), Diabetes Mellitus, Physical inactivity, Stress and personality

Risk Factors of Heart Diseases and Their Prevention

No one can survive IHD due to its harmful contact among human genetics, environment and lifestyle but it is a preventable disease. This disease can be prevented by controlling some risk factors such as family history, sex, or age. Here are some risk factors for heart diseases and their preventive measures:

Smoking or Use of Tobacco

Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors for developing heart diseases. The substances inside Tobacco can damage the heart and blood vessels that may lead to tapering arteries called “Atherosclerosis”. If smoking is stopped, one can reduce heart attack risk factors and heart diseases to a bare minimum.

Eating Healthy Diet

A healthy diet plays vital role in decreasing heart diseases. Eating plan should be low in fats, cholesterol, salt and fat dairy products; and must be rich in fruits, vegetables and grains. Some types of low-fat protein sources like Beans and fishes can also reduce the risk of heart diseases. Some high-fat diets must be avoided or taken in very less amount such as Red Meat, Dairy products (creams), Coconut and palm oils, and deep-fried fast foods etc.

Cholesterol intake must be less than 200 mg/day which is equal to eating one egg.

Minimize Salt and Sugar ingestion.

Maintain a Healthy Weight – How to Lose Weight

Higher weight indicates higher blood fats, higher blood pressure and increased risk of heart disease. Following waist measurement shows the higher weight in men and women:

• Men having waist measurement greater than 40 inches (101.6 cm), they are considered overweight.

• Women having waist measurement greater than 35 inches (88.9 cm), they are considered overweight.

Best way to Lose Weight Fast

Losing even a small or reducing just 10% of weight can minimize the risk factors of heart diseases including blood pressure, lower blood cholesterol level and Diabetes Mellitus.

Anger Stress – Anger Management Techniques

Normally stress is not considered the risk factor for heart diseases but indirectly it can participate in Heart Attack by releasing certain chemical which can suddenly deprive the blood supply to heart and cause death of that area of heart tissues. This situation can result in heart attack. So stress can be kept low or controlled by discussing problems or feelings once to someone rather than keeping feelings hidden. Moreover, some ways to reduce the stress include exercise, swimming and deep breathing etc.

Regular Daily Exercise

Regular daily exercise along with some other activities such as maintaining a healthy weight can significantly reduce the risk of fatal heart diseases. An absolutely strong physical activity of 30 to 60 minutes daily is essential for enjoying a healthy and strong heart.

Living Healthy – Tips for Healthy Lifestyle

How to live a Healthy Lifestyle? One can enjoy a healthy lifestyle keeping his/ her health smart and healthy by taking healthy diet and physical fitness activity. Following limits indicate a healthy life:

Blood Pressure

Regular blood pressure screening is important. Optimal blood pressure is 120 / 80 mm Hg.

Cholesterol Levels. Total cholesterol should be 150mg/dl. (LDL cholesterol of <100mg/dl, HDL cholesterol >40mg/dl and Triglycerides <150mg/dl)

Diabetes Screening

Depending on risk factors such as being overweight or a family history of Diabetes Mellitus, first testing for diabetes sometime between ages 30 and 45 and then retesting every three to five years.

Heart Attack First Aid Treatment

If any of the symptoms may found in men or women, ask the patient to immediately stop work and sit down or lie on the ground. After this, follow these guidelines as first aid treatment:

Promptly loose the tight clothes of the patient.

Ensure availability of ambulance or immediately call for help.

As a first aid treatment, give the patient 300 mg one tablet of Aspirin (if available) but avoid to those patients who get allergic to Aspirin or already taking anti-coagulant medicines like ‘Warfarin’ or those who have warned by the physician for taking Aspirin.

If the patient is already taking medicines or oral spray of Angina, then help the patient for taking such medicines.

Stay with patient and continually check heart beat or breathing of the patient till reporting to hospital.

In more severe case, report to nearest hospital or Cardiology Department as soon as possible.