Heart Conditions and Diseases are Pervasive By Barry Sparks Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Heart disease accounts for 1 in every 4 deaths. Here’s what you need to know about the symptoms and treatments for a variety of heart conditions and diseases. A heart attack occurs when the flow of blood to the heart is blocked. The blockage is usually a buildup of plaque in the arteries that feed the heart. Sometimes, a plaque can rupture and form a clot that blocks blood flow. The interrupted blood flow can damage or destroy part of the heart muscle. Common heart attack signs and symptoms include: • Pressure, tightness, pain, or a squeezing or aching sensation in your chest or arms that may spread to your neck, jaw, or back • Nausea, indigestion, heartburn, or abdominal pain • Shortness of breath • Cold sweat • Fatigue • Lightheadedness or sudden dizziness As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain. Women often chalk up the symptoms to less life-threatening conditions like acid reflux, the flu, or normal aging. www.BusinessWomanPA.com
It’s critical to call 911 or emergency medical help if you think you might be having a heart attack. You will receive medication during and after your heart attack to improve your heart condition. Physicians may need to perform a procedure to unblock your arteries. These procedures may include cardiac catheterization, balloon angioplasty, stent placement, and bypass surgery. Silent heart attack is a heart attack that has few, if any, symptoms. You might not have shortness of breath or chest pain, which is typically associated with a heart attack. A silent heart attack, like any heart attack, involves blockage of blood flow to the heart and possible damage to the heart muscle. Having a silent heart attack puts you at a greater risk of having another heart attack. There are no tests to determine your potential for having a silent heart attack. The only way to tell if you’ve had a silent heart attack is to have imaging tests, such as an electrocardiogram or echocardiogram. Heart Health 2022
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