When someone has a heart attack, it can cause him to experience shortness of breath, or dyspnea. In a heart attack, there is a disruption of the blood supply going to some location of the heart. When this happens, cells in this muscle die.

Symptoms

There is a selection of symptoms that can be present when a heart attack occurs. Chest pain is typical. The patient may have nausea and might vomit. Heart palpitations, in which the person is aware of something abnormal in the heart beat, are also possible. The person may also perspire heavily. Weakness may be experienced. Dyspnea can occur. There may be a light-headed feeling.

Approximately one out of every four heart attacks is what is known as silent. It does not display any symptoms. In certain groups of people, the rate of this type of asymptomatic heart attack is higher. Diabetics and the elderly are two such kinds of people.

Risk factors

Cholesterol is linked to heart attacks, as a low level of HDL and a raised amount of triglycerides (technically not cholesterol but counted as part of its total in lab work) are both factors. Having diabetes is a significant factor. Hypertension, or elevated blood pressure, is also associated with it. Having a history in the family of myocardial ischemia is another risk factor. Having large amounts of alcohol over a lengthy period of time also increases the incidence of heart attacks. Being obese is another item that is linked to this.

Incidence also raises in men when they reach 45, and in women at 55. Overall, men are affected by heart attacks more frequently than women are.

Diagnosis

A medical professional is the one diagnoses a heart attack. Certain items may be taken into consideration, including looking at the status of the person, and evaluating how he describes what he is going through. Other things that can be considered toward confirming a diagnosis include changes in in an electrocardiogram, and cardiac markers, which are a type of biomarker.

Treatment

When a person goes through a heart attack, it is a medical emergency. The treatment must be selected at the time by those who have the knowledge and the tools to try to treat the patient.