Introduction:
Cardiac emergencies are heart-related emergencies that lead to death without immediate medical treatment. Awareness of the common symptoms of cardiac emergencies is necessary to seek immediate treatment. The chances of survival improve with prompt medical care. Emergencies of the heart include:
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Unstable angina (worsening chest pain due to decreased blood flow to the heart).
What Is a Heart Attack?
A heart attack (myocardial infarction) is a medical emergency in which blood flow to the heart is cut-off. Heart attacks occur due to constriction and blockage of blood vessels that supply oxygenated blood to the heart. This lack of oxygen supply damages the heart muscles and leads to a heart attack.
What Are the Causes of a Heart Attack?
The causes of heart attacks include the following:
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Coronary heart disease - The heart's major blood vessels get clogged with clots or fat and can result in a heart attack. The risk for coronary heart disease increases due to smoking, a high-fat diet, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, obesity, and high blood pressure.
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Drug misuse.
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Lack of oxygen in the blood or hypoxia.
What Are the Warning Signs of a Heart Attack?
Not all heart attacks are intense and sudden. They exhibit a wide range of symptoms varying between individuals. The most common warning signs to look for include the following:
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Chest discomfort that does not go away, pressure or tightness in the chest.
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Chest pain radiating to the left arm.
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Intense central chest pain.
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Radiating pain (to both arms, jaws, back, or stomach).
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Breathlessness or shortness of breath.
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Cold sweats.
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Dizziness or fainting.
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Increased heart rate.
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Faint heartbeat.
What Is a Cardiac Arrest?
Cardiac arrest is a sudden and abrupt loss of heart function. Faulty electrical and mechanical activity of the heart muscles causes irregular heartbeats. If left untreated, the heart stops pumping blood efficiently. This decreases blood flow to different body parts, including the brain. Cardiac arrest is different from a heart attack, though heart attacks can cause cardiac arrests. It is a life-threatening condition and can cause permanent brain damage and death without immediate medical treatment.
What Are the Symptoms of Cardiac Arrest?
Often, there are no warnings before a sudden cardiac arrest. The most common warning signs to look for include the following:
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Unconsciousness.
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Loss of pulse.
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Breathlessness.
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Sudden collapse.
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No breathing.
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Chest discomfort.
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Increased heart rate.
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Irregular (fluttering) heartbeat.
What Is Unstable Angina?
Unstable angina (chest pain) is also known as an acute coronary syndrome. It presents as worsening or persistent pain in the chest or chest discomfort, often during rest. The coronary arteries supply blood to the heart. These arteries, when blocked by fatty buildups or clots, the blood flow to the heart is reduced or cut off. Unstable angina requires emergency care. It puts the person at risk of life-threatening cardiac arrests and heart attacks. Immediate medical attention to unstable angina can help prevent progression to other heart emergencies and save lives.
What Are the Symptoms of Unstable Angina?
Unstable angina must be suspected if the chest discomfort or pain:
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Occurs during rest or sleep.
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It is unexpected (during little physical activity).
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It is persistent.
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Worsens with time.
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Does not go with rest or medicine.
What Is a Heart Failure?
Coronary artery diseases, heart attacks, heart valve diseases, high blood pressure, and alcohol and drug abuse can cause heart failure (congestive heart failure). Heart failure can be chronic (long-standing) or acute (sudden onset). It is a heart condition where the heart cannot pump blood efficiently to other body parts. As a result, the heart’s wall becomes thick or thin to normalize blood flow. In addition, the pressure in the heart increases over time, leading to fluid retention in the legs (lower parts of the body). Shortness of breath is also commonly seen in heart failure patients as the blood backs up to the lungs, causing fluid buildup. The signs and symptoms of chronic heart failure can be improved with proper treatment and lifestyle changes. But acute heart failure with sudden severe symptoms is life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
What Are the Warning Signs of Heart Failure?
The various signs and symptoms of heart failure include the following:
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Shortness of breath (at rest or exercise).
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Swelling in the lower part of the body (legs, ankles, and feet).
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Fatigue.
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Weakness.
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Difficulty performing physical activities (inability to exercise).
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Irregular or rapid heartbeat.
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Persistent wheezing or cough.
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Abdomen swelling.
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Fluid buildup in the body.
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Lack of appetite.
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Nausea.
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Loss of responsiveness.
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Decreased alertness or difficulty concentrating.
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Pain in the chest (if a heart attack has caused heart failure).
When Should We Seek Emergency Care for Heart Failures?
Emergency medical care is essential in case of:
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Pain in the chest.
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Unconsciousness (fainting).
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Sudden and severe breathlessness or shortness of breath.
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Sudden and severe cough (with foamy, white, or pink mucous).
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Fluttering heart (rapid irregular heartbeat).
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Severe fatigue and weakness.
How Can We Handle Cardiac Emergencies?
At times, it may be challenging to differentiate a simple chest pain from an emergency. In case of doubt, call for immediate medical care to prevent delay in treatment. If the heart stops functioning during a cardiac emergency, it can result in permanent brain and organ damage within a few minutes. In worst-case scenarios, the lack of oxygen supply to the body can lead to death. If a heart-related emergency is suspected, quick action is mandatory. It is advisable to call for emergency care as soon as possible to improve survival. Every minute delay in medical treatment reduces the chance of survival and recovery. The four steps that enhance the chance of survival in a cardiac emergency are:
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Immediately seek emergency care.
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Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can save lives till medical help arrives (use only when trained).
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Using a defibrillator.
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Advanced emergency medical treatment in a hospital setup.
Can We Prevent Cardiac Emergencies?
If a person has known heart disease, it is possible to prevent life-threatening emergencies by following a few important steps:
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Take the prescribed heart medications regularly.
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Keep up with follow-up appointments with the cardiologist (heart doctor).
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Reduce and manage your risk factors:
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Healthy lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, eating healthy foods, and staying active physically.
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If you have other conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, keep them under control and take appropriate medications regularly.
Conclusion:
Heart-related emergencies can present with a wide range of symptoms. We must be aware of common emergency warning signs like radiating chest pain, abnormal heart rate, fluttering heart, difficulty breathing, or unconsciousness. Time is a crucial factor that can affect a patient's chances of survival. The quicker the medical treatment is initiated, the better the survival. It is mandatory to seek immediate medical care if a cardiac emergency is suspected, as it is life-threatening.