A heart attack, medically known as a myocardial infarction, results from a blockage in blood flow to part of the heart muscle. It is usually caused by a clot that forms where a coronary artery has narrowed due to a buildup of fatty deposits called plaque. Without blood flow, that part of the heart muscle is deprived of oxygen and begins to weaken.
A heart attack is a medical emergency and needs prompt evaluation and treatment. Because this damage can worsen with every passing minute, treatment focuses on restoring blood flow as quickly as possible.
The most common underlying cause is coronary artery disease (CAD). Over time, fatty deposits called plaque can build up inside the coronary arteries. If a plaque ruptures, a blood clot can form and suddenly obstruct blood flow.
Factors that can increase the risk include:
In some cases, a severe spasm of a coronary artery can also reduce blood flow to the heart.
Here are some of the most common warning signs:
Instead of the common sign of chest pain, women, older adults, and people with diabetes may experience atypical symptoms that are easy to dismiss, like fatigue, nausea, breathlessness, or discomfort in the back or jaw.
Do not wait for symptoms to become severe. If a heart attack is suspected, seek emergency medical help immediately.
When someone arrives at the hospital with possible heart attack symptoms, doctors move quickly to confirm what’s happening and decide on the right treatment. Diagnosis usually involves a combination of the following:
The findings help the cardiology team determine the type of heart attack and whether the blocked artery needs to be opened urgently.
Heart attack treatment aims to restore blood flow to the heart as fast as possible and prevent further clotting or damage. The approach depends on the type of heart attack, location and severity of the blockage, and your overall health.
Certain medicines are usually given right away to help dissolve clots, thin the blood, relieve chest pain, or steady your heart rhythm and blood pressure. This is usually among the very first steps taken to stabilise the patient.
Angioplasty, medically known as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), is often used to restore blood flow to the heart quickly. It is a minimally invasive procedure, in which doctors guide a thin tube through a blood vessel to the blocked artery, then use a small balloon to open up the narrowed area. A stent is usually placed at the same time to help keep the artery open going forward.
In cases involving multiple or complex blockages, bypass surgery may be recommended. This procedure reroutes blood flow around the blocked artery using a healthy blood vessel from elsewhere in the body.
After a heart attack, many patients need to take medicines like blood thinners, cholesterol-lowering drugs, or blood pressure medicines for the long term. These should only be taken as recommended by your cardiologist.
Treating the blocked artery is just the first step. Recovery continues well beyond that. Your cardiologist may prescribe medicines to lower your risk of another heart attack and recommend followup tests based on the progress in your health.
If you have had angioplasty, it is especially important to keep taking your prescribed medicines exactly as directed. Stopping them early can increase the risk of a clot forming.
Cardiac rehabilitation is designed to help you ease back into daily life while working on things like exercise, diet, quitting smoking, managing stress, and other habits that support long-term heart health.
Everyone’s recovery journey is not the same. How long it takes depends on things like the extent of heart damage, the treatment you received, and any other health conditions you are managing.
When a heart attack strikes, patients need emergency assessment, cardiac intervention, critical care, and followup to all work together without unnecessary delays
At the CK Birla Hospital, our cardiac care is supported by:
If you are looking for expert cardiac care in Gurgaon NCR, you can book a consultation with our cardiology team at the CK Birla Hospital. For symptoms that could indicate an active heart attack, do not wait for an appointment. Seek emergency medical care immediately.
Call emergency medical services immediately and arrange urgent transport to an emergency department. Keep the person seated or resting and avoid making them drive themselves. If they become unresponsive and are not breathing normally, begin CPR. Do not delay emergency care.
A heart attack strikes when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is blocked. Cardiac arrest happens when the heart’s electrical system malfunctions, causing it to suddenly stop pumping blood altogether. A heart attack can sometimes lead to cardiac arrest, but the two conditions are not the same.
As quickly as possible. The longer the heart muscle remains without adequate blood flow, the greater the potential damage. Emergency medical teams can begin assessment and treatment during transport and coordinate care at the hospital.
Cardiologists usually recommend quitting tobacco, limiting alcohol, eating a heart-healthy diet, staying active as advised, and managing weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. Cardiac rehabilitation can help guide these changes. It is also important to continue prescribed medicines and follow-up visits, even after you start feeling better.
