Heart Attack
Alternative Names:
Heart condition, clogged arteries, impeded blood flow to the heart
Definition:
A heart attack is a condition that occurs when the heart does not receive enough oxygen because blood supply to the heart is blocked, causing the death of heart muscles. A heart attack may also be caused by a coronary artery spasm, though this is less common.
Symptoms:
Chest pain, feelings of bad indigestion, pain that moves from the chest to other areas of the body such as the arms, neck, jaw or back, anxiety, nausea, heart palpitations, breathlessness, sweating, cough, fainting, and dizziness.
Exams/Testing:
If a heart attack occurs, a patient needs to be treated immediately. A healthcare professional will examine the patient for signs of a heart attack through a physical examination and will listen to the patient’s heart using a stethoscope. Additional tests utilized include a CT scan, MRI, coronary angiography, electrocardiogram, echocardiography and a nuclear ventriculography. A blood test may also be performed to test for the presence of substances produced as a result of a heart attack.
Outlook/Prognosis:
Patients who experience a heart attack and receive immediate medical treatment and suffer little tissue damage typically have a better prognosis than those who experienced greater damage. Those who experience a heart attack are more likely to survive once they have lived for approximately two hours following the attack.
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