[ad_1]
According to data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart attack is a leading cause of death for both men and women globally. Therefore, educating yourself about the symptoms and getting timely treatment can be the answer to protect yourself from this deadly heart disease.
When it comes to heart attacks, doctors often say, ‘Time is great.’ To understand this statement and why ignoring symptoms like chest pain can be dangerous, HT Lifestyle contacted Dr. Keshav R, HOD and Consultant – Interventional Cardiology, Manipal Hospital, Old Airport Road.
According to Dr. Keshav, “Every minute after a heart attack begins, more heart muscle is damaged – and that damage can be permanent. Acting quickly could be the difference between full recovery and lifelong heart failure.
Heart attack causes rapid damage to your heart muscle.
According to cardiologists, the first hour after the symptoms of heart attack begin is called the golden hour. This is the time period when treatment can limit the loss of heart muscle to less than 10 percent.
The cardiologist further explains, “If help is delayed by six hours, 25 percent of the heart muscle may be injured; by twelve hours, it may be 50 percent. After 24 hours, about 90 percent of the heart tissue at risk may be permanently damaged. In simple words: the longer you wait, the less energy there is to save.
signs to never ignore
He warned that many people are hesitant to go to the hospital because they are afraid of surgery or hope the pain will go away. However, “signs such as chest pain, shortness of breath, an abnormally fast heartbeat, or even sudden fainting (known medically as syncope) should never be ignored.”
,Delay can be fatal, not only because of damage to the heart muscle, but also because some people do not survive long enough to reach the hospital,” Dr. Keshav said.
,About 10 percent of heart attack victims experience ‘sudden cardiac death’, which occurs within an hour due to extreme rhythm disturbances and a sudden drop in blood pressure,” he warned.
treatment options
For those who reach the hospital in time, Dr. Keshav highlighted early tests such as an ECG (which records the heart’s electrical activity), an echocardiogram (an ultrasound scan of the heart), and a troponin test (which detects signs of heart muscle injury).
He added, “They help doctors confirm a heart attack quickly. Emergency medicines like aspirin (a blood thinner) and cholesterol-lowering medicines are usually given immediately to prevent the clot from getting worse.
Treatment options, according to the cardiologist, depend on the hospital’s resources and the time of the patient’s arrival. Here are some of the options he highlighted:
“The first option There is thrombolytic therapy, which are special medications that dissolve a blood clot blocking an artery in the heart. It is cheap and useful where facilities are not advanced. However, even if the doctor bats for a patient with thrombolysis, about 7 to 8 per cent of patients die despite coming to the hospital,” Dr Keshav explained.
second optionAccording to the cardiologist, the primary option is angioplasty. ,This is a procedure that allows the doctor to minimize intervention by inserting a thin tube (catheter) into a blocked artery to open it and allow blood to flow. If it is done within 90 minutes of the patient reaching the hospital, it is effective, and the mortality rate can be reduced to 4 per cent,” shared Dr Keshav.
Finally, he said major heart centers now use the latest devices to make angioplasty even safer and more effective, such as laser angioplasty, which uses concentrated light energy to gently clear tough blockages, and devices that remove or soften hardened calcium within the arteries.
“Modern cardiac technology has made emergency treatment faster, safer and much less intimidating than many people imagine. The main message from doctors is simple: do not wait. The sooner chest pain is investigated, the greater the chances of saving the heart muscle and life. Quick action, not fear, is what really protects the heart,” warns Dr Keshav.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.
[ad_2]
