What happens during a heart attack?

ExpHub - Prashant Kirad

What happens during a heart attack?  Approximately seven million people around the world die from heart attacks every year. And cardiovascular disease, which causes heart attacks and other problems like strokes, is the world’s leading killer. So what causes a heart attack?  A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, is a medical emergency that occurs when the blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, usually by a blood clot. This blockage can damage or destroy heart muscle and, if not treated promptly, can be fatal. In this video, we explain the step-by-step process of what happens inside your body during a heart attack, the symptoms to watch for, what causes it, and how timely medical help can save lives. Understanding the early signs and biological changes during a heart attack can help you or a loved one take immediate action and prevent long-term damage. ---  heart attack, heart, health, bypass, stent, myocardial infarction, plaque, blood, blood cells, exercise, diet, chest pain,  Audience Queries: 1. What are the first signs of a heart attack? 2. How does a heart attack actually occur inside the body? 3. Can a heart attack happen without chest pain? 4. What causes the arteries to get blocked? 5. How long does a heart attack last? 6. Can you survive a heart attack without treatment? 7. What’s the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest? 8. How do doctors treat a heart attack? 9. Can lifestyle changes prevent heart attacks? 10. What should you do if someone is having a heart attack? ---  #HeartAttack #CardiacHealth #HeartHealthAwareness #MedicalEducation #HealthTips #EmergencyResponse #HeartDisease #KnowTheSigns #HealthyHeart #HeartAttackSymptoms

Transcript

00:01Approximately 7 million people around the world die from heart attacks every year.

00:07And cardiovascular disease, which causes heart attacks and other problems like strokes,

00:12is the world's leading killer.

00:14So what causes a heart attack?

00:16Like all muscles, the heart needs oxygen.

00:19And during a heart attack, it can't get enough.

00:22Fatty deposits, or plaques, develop on the walls of our coronary arteries.

00:27Those are the vessels that supply oxygenated blood to the heart.

00:31These plaques grow as we age, sometimes getting chunky, hardened, or inflamed.

00:37Eventually, the plaques can turn into blockages.

00:40If one of the plaques ruptures or cracks, a blood clot will form around it in minutes,

00:46and a partially closed artery can become completely blocked.

00:50Blood flow is cut off to the cardiac muscle,

00:53and the oxygen-starved cells start to die within several minutes.

00:57This is a myocardial infarction, or heart attack.

01:01Things can rapidly deteriorate in the absence of treatment.

01:05The injured muscle may not be able to pump blood as well,

01:09and its rhythm might be thrown off.

01:11In the worst-case scenario, a heart attack can cause sudden death.

01:15And how do you know that someone is having a heart attack?

01:18The most common symptom is chest pain caused by the oxygen-deprived heart muscle.

01:23Patients describe it as crushing or vice-like.

01:26It can radiate to the left arm, jaw, back, or abdomen.

01:31But it's not always as sudden and dramatic as it is in the movies.

01:35Some people experience nausea or shortness of breath.

01:38Symptoms may be less prominent in women and the elderly.

01:42For them, weakness and tiredness may be the main signal.

01:46And surprisingly, in many people, especially those with diabetes,

01:50which affects the nerves that carry pain, a heart attack may be silent.

01:55If you think that someone might be having a heart attack,

01:58the most important thing is to respond quickly.

02:01If you have access to emergency medical services, call them.

02:05They're the fastest way to get to a hospital.

02:08Taking aspirin, which thins the blood,

02:10and nitroglycerin, which opens up the artery,

02:13can help keep the heart attack from getting worse.

02:16In the emergency room, doctors can diagnose a heart attack.

02:19They commonly use an electrocardiogram

02:22to measure the heart's electrical activity

02:24and a blood test to assess heart muscle damage.

02:27The patient is then taken to a high-tech cardiac suite,

02:31where tests are done to locate the blockages.

02:34Cardiologists can reopen the blocked artery

02:37by inflating it with a balloon in a procedure called an angioplasty.

02:41Frequently, they also insert a metal or polymer stent

02:45that will hold the artery open.

02:47More extensive blockages might require coronary artery bypass surgery.

02:52Using a piece of vein or artery from another part of the body,

02:56heart surgeons can reroute blood flow around the blockage.

03:00These procedures reestablish circulation to the cardiac muscle,

03:03restoring heart function.

03:05Heart attack treatment is advancing, but prevention is vital.

03:09Genetics and lifestyle factors both affect your risk,

03:13and the good news is that you can change your lifestyle.

03:16Exercise, a healthy diet, and weight loss all lower the risk of heart attacks,

03:21whether you've had one before or not.

03:23Doctors recommend exercising a few times a week,

03:26doing both aerobic activity and strength training.

03:29A heart-healthy diet is low in sugar and saturated fats,

03:33which are both linked to heart disease.

03:35So what should you eat?

03:36Lots of fiber from vegetables, chicken and fish instead of red meat,

03:41whole grains, and nuts like walnuts and almonds all seem to be beneficial.

03:46A good diet and exercise plan can also keep your weight in a healthy range,

03:51which will lower your heart attack risk as well.

03:54And of course, medications can also help prevent heart attacks.

03:57Doctors often prescribe low-dose aspirin, for example,

04:00particularly for patients who've already had a heart attack

04:04and for those known to be at high risk.

04:07And drugs that help manage risk factors,

04:09like high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes,

04:12will make heart attacks less likely, too.

04:15Heart attacks may be common, but they don't have to be inevitable.

04:19A healthy diet, avoiding tobacco use, staying a fit,

04:23and enjoying plenty of sleep and lots of laughter

04:26all go a long way in making sure your body's most important muscle keeps on beating.

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