India’s first Cricket World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev was recently admitted to hospital where he underwent angioplasty following a heart attack. The 61-year-old complained of chest pain a few days back following which he was taken to an emergency department of a hospital in the national capital.
He was discharged on Sunday and now doing better. Angioplasty is performed to open blocked arteries and restore normal blood flow to the heart. If the flow of blood to the heart is blocked, it leads to a heart attack.
According to Dr. Amitkumar Shah – DNB Medicine, Consultant Physician at AXIS Hospital – a heart attack is a medical condition where the flow of blood to the heart is blocked.
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“The blockage is often the build-up of fat, cholesterol, and other substances that forms plaque in the arteries that are connected with the heart. Sometimes, the plaque ruptures and forms clots that block blood flow to the heart. Heart attack can also be caused by a torn blood vessel or a blood vessel spasm. Without the blood, oxygen doesn’t reach tissues and hence tissues die. This heart tissue death causes lasting damage to the heart muscles and creates a loss of blood supply to heart muscle leading to a heart attack, said Dr Shah.
Some Very Common Signs And Symptoms Of Heart Attack
Symptoms of a heart attack are pressure, pain, tightness, or aching in the chest area, weakness, nausea or vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, or shortness of breath.
But it is important to understand that not all people who suffer a heart attack have the same severity of symptoms.
Dr Shah said that symptoms may vary from male to female and also from person to person. “Some might experience fast or uneven heartbeat, indigestion, or heartburn. One may also experience an upset stomach or back and jaw pain,” he added.
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Who Are At Greater Risk Of Getting Heart Attack
“Age is also an important factor in determining the risk of getting heart disease. The majority of people getting heart disease fall in the age group of 65 or older. Men are considered to be at greater risk as compared to women. Hereditary also plays an important role, and children are at higher risk if their parents have heart disease. People having diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or those who smoke often are at higher risk of having heart-related diseases. Diabetics patients often suffer from a silent heart attack where symptoms are unnoticeable.”
Lifestyle Changes For A Healthier Heart
A healthy heart helps in preventing heart attacks. To lead a healthy life, one should focus on a balanced diet and exercise regularly. It is better to quit smoking and limit alcohol intake to avoid risks of heart disease. It is always better to practice yoga and meditation to avoid stress and anxiety.
