What is a heart attack?
A heart attack is what happens when your heart can’t get enough oxygen to function properly. This occurs when something reduces or obstructs blood flow to your heart muscle.
Atherosclerosis, the buildup of fat and cholesterol as plaque on the walls of your blood vessels, is a common cause of heart attacks and is symptomless.
Beyond coronary artery blockages, a heart attack can stem from a spasm in a coronary artery that is strong enough to stop the flow of blood. This happens as a result of tobacco and the use of illicit stimulant drugs like cocaine.
What are the warning signs of a heart attack?
Heart attacks can cause varied warning signs. It’s important to be familiar with them, though only 27% of people in the United States are aware of them. During a heart attack, you or a loved one might experience:
- Chest pain
- Nausea
- Cold sweat
- Trouble breathing
- Jaw, neck, back, or arm pain
- Lightheadedness
If you think you’re having a heart attack, don’t hesitate to get medical care right away. You can also chew an aspirin during a heart attack to keep the damage under control as you await an ambulance. Aspirin helps dissolve blood clots, which may be causing or contributing to the blockage of blood flow to your heart muscle.
Am I at risk for a heart attack?
Various health conditions and lifestyle factors can significantly increase your risk of having a heart attack. Your risk for a heart attack may be higher than average if you:
- Are a smoker
- Have long-term exposure to secondhand smoke
- Are 45 or older
- Have high cholesterol
- Have high blood pressure
- Have a family history of heart disease or heart attacks
- Are obese
- Have diabetes or metabolic syndrome
- Lack physical activity in your routine
- Use stimulant drugs
Some of these risk factors are controllable, and you can work to reduce your risk by altering your lifestyle or routine. Others, like your age, are not. Still, you can reduce your risk for a heart attack by maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and avoiding smoking and heavy alcohol consumption.
How can I assess my risk for a heart attack?
If you’re not certain about your heart attack risk or would like more information about the health of your heart and arteries, the team at Life Imaging Fla can conduct a heart scan. This scan offers more complex information than a stress test and can detect much earlier signs of heart disease. A stress test measures your blood pressure and heart rate as you exercise.
The Life Imaging Fla team gives you a Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) score, which measures the total amount of calcium deposits within your coronary arteries. The report also accounts for their size and density.
A high score indicates a higher risk for heart disease and heart attack. The full report also accounts for the lifestyle factors and health risks from your medical history.
To assess your risk for a heart attack or learn more about available tests, call Life Imaging Fla or request your visit online today.
