Today, it's not senior citizens alone who suffer heart attacks. Even those who are in their twenties are not spared. That's why it pays to learn how to recognise the symptoms of a heart attack, and take early steps to prevent it.
One or many of these may be the symptoms of a heart attack: discomfort or pain in the chest; a feeling of compression, heaviness or tightness in the chest; shortness of breath; profuse or undue sweating (as when you sweat in an air-conditioned room, or in situations where you alone sweat, but others do not); feeling faint, experiencing heart burn, pain in one or both the shoulders, elbows, forearms, a burning sensation in the upper abdomen, or discomfort in the throat or jaws.
“In fact, a former chief minister mistook his jaw pain for a dental problem and had his teeth removed, only to find out from a subsequent ECG that he had suffered a heart attack,” says K. Chandrasekaran, senior interventional cardiologist and electro physiologist, Fortis Malar hospital.
“Then there is what is called a silent heart attack, where there is no symptom of pain. People with diabetes, severe neuropathy, elderly persons, and those undergoing major surgery under anaesthesia are particularly vulnerable,” informs Dr. C. Rajendiran, director and professor of medicine, Madras Medical College.
When it happens
“Don't dismiss the symptoms as indigestion or heart burn, and that an antacid or pain reliever would help temporarily, and that you could consult your doctor the next day. This could be fatal. Heart attacks cannot be ruled out by the layman,” says Dr. Rajendiran.
Time is critical, so rush to the nearest hospital. In fact, emergency measures are taken in the ambulance itself in developed countries. Do not allow the individual to exert himself; don't let him walk or climb stairs. “If you have an aspirin tablet handy, administer 325 mg of it. If the person has had cardiac trouble earlier, he might have been prescribed sorbitrate tablets; give 10 mg of it as well. In case you don't have these medicines, don't waste time trying to get them; just rush him to the hospital,” recommends Dr. Chandrasekaran.
“If you experience chest pain while you are on a normal walk, rush to the nearest hospital rather than walk back home, thinking that a family member can take you to the doctor. Delaying even by a few minutes can prove critical,” Dr. Rajendiran warns. And if heart attack strikes while an individual is under the influence of alcohol, he may not be able to recognise the symptoms, he adds.
Who is at risk?
Those suffering from stress (physical or mental), those who are obese, those who smoke, consume alcohol, have faulty dietary habits, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, or are aging, or have a family history of heart disease are at risk. While males are at higher risk, the risk is the same for post-menopausal females as they no longer have the protective impact of the hormone oestrogen.
“Elderly people might have noticed difficulty in breathing on exertion. This might be because of reduced blood supply to the heart, called ‘angina equivalent'. It is a warning to seek medical attention,” says Dr. Chandrasekaran.
Preventing heart disease
“Have an annual, master health check-up once you are over 40. This will reveal heart disease and other diseases that might have set in. If you have any of the risk factors for heart disease, undergo a master health check-up once you are over 35,” recommends Dr. P. Sivaraman, consultant cardiologist. Quit smoking, as even a cigarette a day is a big risk factor. “Some doctors say red wine is good for the heart, but in the long run, alcohol affects the pumping function of the heart, so avoid alcohol,” says Dr. Chandrasekaran. Regular isotonic exercise such as walking is advisable. However, isometric exercise such as weight training strains the heart. Even straining while passing stools makes the blood pressure go up and this is not good for the heart.
Saturated fat found in butter, cheese, paneer, cake, ice cream, pizza, biscuits and cookies and fried food is harmful to the heart. Cholesterol deposition is a continuous process and can start in childhood, so even kids cannot be allowed to gorge on these food items, while adults over 25 should indulge in them sparingly. Poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are good for the heart. They are found in fish oil, and some vegetable oils such as olive oil and mustard oil. But even these should be used only in small quantities.
