HEART ATTACK AND ITS CURE
Good evening everyone, I saw the heart attack contest and decided I was going to hop on it cause I'm a medical student who really cares about health as health is wealth. Big thanks to @mesola for creating the contest.
What Is Heart Attack?
Heart Attack is simply a situation whereby there is stoppage of flow of blood to the heart. It is caused by blood clotting. When blood clots and stops flow of blood to the heart, the tissues lose Oxygen and die. Reports show that there are over 1.5 million heart attack cases in Nigeria EVERY YEAR.
What are the causes of heart attack and what are the risk factors?
Causes Of Heart Attack
Stress: Stress here does not mean physical stress, rather it entails emotional stress. Sometimes the struggles of life can weigh us down emotionally, making us think alot. At times like that, there is a high risk of heart attack.
Illegal Drug Use: The use of stimulants/hard drugs such as cocaine can stimulate an artery spasm thereby leading to heart attack.
History Of Preeclampsia: Preeclampsia is a condition that pregnant women suffer; High Blood Pressure when pregnant. Women with such history have a high risk of having heart attack.
Autoimmune Condition: Conditions such as Arthritis can result in heart attack.
Risk Factors
Irregular heart rhythms: Heart Attack can lead to the electric signals in the heart being disrupted. This in turn leads to irregular heart rhythms.
Cardiogenic shock: This condition is very rare. It occurs when the heart is suddenly unable to pump blood.
Heart failure: This is caused when the heart muscle tissue has been severely damaged. The heart becomes unable to pump blood. This condition can either be temporary or chronic.
Cardiac Arrest: This is the height of it all. Without warning, the heart suddenly STOPS. Sudden cardiac arrest leads to DEATH.
What are the heart attack symptoms?
Heart attack symptoms include:
Discomfort in the neck and arm.
Dizziness, fatigue, cold sweat.
Chest burns or feelings of clenched fist in the chest
Indigestion, nausea or vomiting
How can we prevent ourselves from having heart attack
Heart attack can be prevented in many ways. I'll list just a few.
Eat good food, balanced diet so your system can work perfectly.
Be active. Exercise when possible, be physically active. Try not to think too much no matter how hard things get.
I already mentioned taking cocaine can lead to heart attack. Therefore, abstain from drugs, reduce your alcohol consumption, give up smoking.
What Are The Treatment For Heart Attack
There are certain drugs that help to reduce blood clotting, such drugs are used to treat heart attack. An example is aspirin.
Clot Busters: These are drugs used to break down blood clots that block blood flow to the heart. They are called thrombolytics or fibrinolytics. The earlier they are given after heart attack, the greater the chance of survival of the victim.
Blood thinning medicines such as heparin.
Nitroglycerin: It helps to widen the blood vessels and therefore improve blood flow to the heart. It is used to treat chest pain. Chest pain that can't be cured with nitroglycerin is cured with morphine.
These among others, are the ways to cure heart attack.
What are the heart attack prognosis and the complications.
Prognosis
People recover and live well after heart attack. However, there is a high risk of having a second heart attack within five years therefore victims of heart attacks continue to do their best to keep themselves healthy.
Life span might decrease by about 8-10%, sadly.
Complications
- Inflammation of the tissue surrounding the heart: It is also called pericarditis, a situation whereby the heart attack triggers a faulty immune system. It is usually an after effect of heart attacks.
Conclusion
The heart is very important. We've seen how delicate it can be and the after effects of getting it damaged. Therefore, we must try our best to stay healthy. Eat good food, think less, exercise. I invite @bossj23, @usoro01 and @mmekan to try out this contest.
Thanks For Reading |
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Upvoted. Thank You for sending some of your rewards to @null. It will make Steem stronger.
Your insightful perspective as a medical student sheds valuable light on heart attacks and their implications. Your thorough explanation of heart attack causes, risk factors, symptoms, prevention, treatment options, prognosis, and complications is commendable.
You've aptly described the causes of heart attacks, including stress, drug use, history of preeclampsia, and autoimmune conditions, shedding light on both emotional and physiological triggers. Your breakdown of risk factors, such as irregular heart rhythms, cardiogenic shock, heart failure, and cardiac arrest, highlights the complexities and potential severity of this condition.
Detailing the symptoms, from discomfort in the neck and arm to chest pain, dizziness, fatigue, and indigestion, provides critical information for early recognition and prompt medical attention.
Your emphasis on preventive measures like a balanced diet, physical activity, and abstaining from drugs, alcohol, and smoking underscores the importance of lifestyle choices in reducing heart attack risks. Furthermore, your explanation of treatment options, including blood-thinning medications, clot busters, and nitroglycerin, offers insight into the medical interventions available.
Your discussion on prognosis and complications, including the risk of a second heart attack and potential decrease in life span, underscores the importance of continuous vigilance and healthy living post-heart attack.
Overall, your comprehensive analysis and insights into heart attacks contribute significantly to raising awareness about heart health and the importance of preventive measures within the community. Well done!
Thanks alot for going through my writeup. I'm so happy.