We might have seen in so many movies that an elderly person hears shocking news and immediately has severe chest pain with profuse sweating. He clutches his chest in severe pain and is immediately shifted to a hospital ICU. The doctor steps out of the ICU and tells his family members that the elderly person has a major heart attack,    Dr. RAMESH GUDAPATI (MD, D) Interventional Cardiologist, Chief of Cardiology STAR Hospitals Road No.10, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad tell about “Key To Survival For Heart Attack Patients”

 

But the trouble is, in real-life, heart attack symptoms don’t always announce themselves so dramatically. Hence, many people wait for hours before seeking medical help. This can be a fatal mistake. Early treatment not only minimizes heart damage, but it can also save one`s life.

 

IMPORTANCE OF EARLY TREATMENT IN HEART ATTACK

 

During a heart attack, blood flow to the heart muscle is cut off suddenly because a blood clot blocks an artery. When the heart muscle does not receive oxygen and nutrients due to shutdown of blood supply, it can die. The longer the treatment is delayed, more is the damage. The faster one can get to a hospital emergency, the better are the chances of survival and limiting damage to the heart.

 

HEART ATTACK SYMPTOMS – WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR ?       

 

Classical symptoms of heart attack include chest pain that is usually constricting or crushing or squeezing in nature. Often, patients complain of a heavy weight in their chests.  It can sometimes be a burning sensation in the chest. The pain usually in the front of the chest and radiates more to the left side. Often, this can be associated with pain in the left arm. The pain is usually prolonged, lasting more than 30 minutes and frequently for a few hours. The intensity of pain can vary, but is often severe and intolerable. The pain may also be associated with severe sweating and a suffocative feeling.

These kind of classical symptoms, however, may not be present in many patients of heart attack, especially in women.

 

WHAT TO DO WHEN ONE SUSPECTS A HEART ATTACK ?

 

* If someone has heart attack symptoms, seek medical help immediately.

* Stop performing any physical activity and rest.

* Do not drive and take others’ help to reach the hospital.

* If one is already a known heart patient, keep a Sorbitrate tablet under the tongue.

* Patient can chew or swallow an Aspirin tablet as well.

 

Heart attack symptoms may vary from individual to individual and may not always be classical. Public awareness about the different type of symptoms in heart attack will go a long way in seeking early medical help, which is crucial in limiting damage to the heart and saving lives.

 

For Appointment :  Dr. RAMESH GUDAPATI (MD, D) Interventional Cardiologist, Chief of Cardiology STAR Hospitals