Women and Heart Attack

Heart Attack

In the lining of the coronary artery, a blood clot forms on the top of a plaque. This causes blockage of that artery. The blood full of oxygen required for that artery. The blood full of oxygen required for the heart muscles is blocked off. This leads to starvation of that portion of the heart muscles. As a result, this part of the heart muscle in the left ventricle gets severely damaged or dies. This is known as infarction. As this occurs in the myocardium or muscle, it is medically termed as Myocardial Infarction (MI) or heart attack.

Women and Heart Attack

Heart attack in women is on the rise. One reason for this can be that more women are entering the previously male dominated world of business, industry and also the irregular working schedules. Also, stress, tension, unhealthy eating habits smoking, alcohol and lack of exercise have come into play. Scientifically, it has been proven that after menopause women become more susceptible to heart disease. Lack of estrogen is responsible for this.

Angina and a Heart Attack

Angina and a Heart Attack

Angina- Not a Heart Attack, Confirmation of Diagnosis

It is necessary to place an oxygen demand on the heart to stimulate the conditions which normally precede a heart attack. Using certain special studies, evidence of ischemia is noted. Conduction of further tests can also locate precisely the site of an arterial blockage.

Stress Electrocardiogram or Treadmill Test

The stress electrocardiogram stimulates those conditions which are prevalent preceding an angina attack. Early signs of ischaemia are detectable. The test is performed on a treadmill or bicycle.

Stress Echography

Ultrasound waves are directed at the chest. These waves bounce off the heart’s wall and valves.

An analysis of these rebounding waves helps us with the calculations of the size, shape and movement of the structures within the heart.

Two echoes are usually taken- one of the heart at rest and the other of the heart under stress e.g. after the patient exercises on a treadmill. A comparison between the two images helps detect areas of the heart not receiving enough blood.

The limitations of this test

The limitations of the ultrasound are that the resolution of the ultrasound is not high enough to see the arteries. We can only detect and highlight the big change in structures, e.g. that of the heart chamber and heart muscles.

Some people may be genetically more prone to heart disease than others. Still, there are plenty of ways to reduce your risk factors.

The comprehensive treatment of angina- for the prevention of heart attack includes eliminating or reducing the risk factors.

Stop Smoking: Smoking is known to contribute to coronary artery disease. Throw away your pack of cigarettes. It’s never too late to stop.

Lose Weight: Less weight in the body means less strain on your heart. Avoid fat and fatty products e.g. red meat, fried food, dairy products, sugar and sweet foods e.g. cakes pastries etc. Lower your cholesterol levels and other lipids in the body. This may help slow down the formation of fatty deposits and hardening of the arteries.

Exercise: Take guidance from your doctor for a fitness programme. A regular exercise programme will help you lose weight and improve your body fitness. You will feel good once you have adjusted to the exercise regime.

Reduce Your Stress: Take small breathers at work e.g. getting up for a glass of water or just stretching your legs after finishing a part of your job. Try stress busting exercises.

Meditation and Yoga: Meditation and yoga are other tools to relax your body. If you had a change in your angina pattern recently or your discomfort or pain is not relieved by medication and rest, consult your doctor.

Medical Treatment for Angina

Anti-anginal medication is prescribed to reduce your heart’s workload. The medication can be:-

Nitrates

Nitrate containing medications have been used for years and give prompt relief to the angina patient. Nitrates are small tablets which can be kept under the tongue, chewed or swallowed. They may also come in spray form.

Action: Nitrates ease the strain on the heart by reducing the blood pressure. Long acting nitrates include patches placed on the skin. These patches are available to help prevent angina attacks before they occur.

Beta Blockers

Site and Radiation of Cardiac Pain

Action: They act by directly reducing the heart’s demand for oxygen. They achieve this by slowing down the rate of heart and reducing the force of contraction of the heart muscles. The oxygen supply, which would be limited by blockages, remains adequate for the slower muscle contraction and a comparative resting heart. These are used for long-term angina patients.

Calcium Channel Blockers

They are used for the long-term angina treatment.

Action: They reduce the oxygen demand by slowing down the heart’s activity. This helps the narrowed coronary vessels to relax and widen. Thus the oxygen supply to the heart increases and at the same time the heart’s demand for oxygen decreases.

Health tips for Everyone

Health tips

1.       Fish, Beef liver and Poultry are all good sources of B6 that helps to form hemoglobin (part of your red blood cells), thus prevent anemia.

2.       Many people feel that donating blood makes them week.  It is not true. It takes 1-2 days to replenish the fluid volume and 3 months for regeneration of red cells.

3.       The highest concentration of vitamin-A is found in sweet potatoes. Beef liver, spinach, fish, milk eggs and carrots are also good sources.

4.       Vitamin K in green and leafy vegetables is a crucial ingredient for blood clotting. Without in, your body would not be able to stop bleeding.

5.       Vitamin-B1, in nuts and fish, helps body to turn carbohydrates into energy. It is also an important nutrient for brain and nervous system to run properly.

6.       Zinc is important for immune function and is also important for your senses of taste and smell. Include zinc rich food like meat, shellfish and nuts in your diet.

7.       Numerous foods provide Vitamin-E. Nuts, seeds and vegetable oils are the best sources and significant amounts are available in green leafy vegetables and cereals.

8.       Yogurt is a great source of protein. The protein keeps you feeling full a little longer. It does have some liquid so it provides some hydration also.

a.       Eat heart-healthy diet. Include potassium and fiber and drink plenty of water. Stay at a healthy body weight. Thus you can control your blood pressure.

b.      Children between the ages of one and three need to have around 350mg of calcium a day. About 300ml of milk would provide this.

c.       Unsaturated fats can lower cholesterol and provides us essential fatty acids needed to stay healthy. Oily fish, nuts, olive oils are unsaturated fat.

d.      Fats and sugar are the sources of energy for the body, but when we eat too much of them we consume more energy than we burn and this means that we put on weight.

e.      Eggs are a good choice as part of a healthy, balanced diet. As well as being a source of protein, they also contain vitamins and minerals.

f.        Eating a healthy diet is a key step to feeling your best every day and supporting your immune system to avoid poor health in the future.

g.       People with low back pain should avoid sit-ups and crunches. Improper posture during these exercises can actually do a lot of harm.

h.      Smoking delays healing of peptic ulcers increases the risk of osteoporosis, cataracts, gallstones and male impotence. Quit Smoking today.

Diabetes Prevention and Control is in your hands.

1.       Regular exercise helps your body respond to insulin and known to be effective in managing blood glucose. Exercise lowers blood glucose and reduce medication amount.

2.       Women with diabetes during pregnancy are at increased risk of developing type-2 diabetes later in life. Regular screening is recommended.

3.       Eating, exercising and taking diabetes medicines at a fixed time everyday gives better control of blood sugar.

4.       Adding garlic to your daily food will help to lower blood sugar and decrease cholesterol levels.

Hardening of the Arteries

Hardening of the Arteries (Atherosclerosis)

Angina

Angina is a symptom of coronary artery disease. Progressive narrowing of the arteries, due to plaque formation supplies inadequate oxygen rich blood to the heart muscle, during exercise or stress. This condition is called “ischaemia”. When ischaemia of the heart muscle occurs, “angina” is the pain signal from the heart asking for rest.

Angina Pectoris

It means chest pain. This pain is often not confined to the chest. It is often a referred or radiating pain in the upper body, left arm, jaw or upper back. The pain can also show symptoms like heaviness in chest or indigestion.

An angianl attack normally lasts for less than five minutes. The effects of ischemia on the heart muscle are reversible and do not result in the death of cells. An angianl attack can be relieved by rest and medication.

Diagnosing Angina

Certain tests have to be conducted, besides the medical evaluation.

Medical Evaluation

Diagnosis of angina can be made on the basis of your medical history. The relation of your symptoms to your physical activity or emotional stress, identify the risk factors for atherosclerosis. Also certain laboratory tests, a resting electrocardiogram and chest X-ray are needed to help make the diagnosis of your disease.

Medical History

Your pattern of discomfort or pain along with a review of your medial history will help your doctor make a provisional diagnosis of angina.

      The priority will be given to the nature of your discomfort or pain. Its location what brings it on and what relives it.

      Your risk factors will be identified by your doctor.

      Your family history will be assessed – what kind of illnesses do you have in the family, etc.

Women and Heart Disease

Many woman experience short bouts of recurrent chest pain (angina), but routine tests like ECG pick up no abnormality.

Recent research based on a 10 year multicentre study in the United States has stated that women should be examined under “Women’s Ischemic Syndrome Evaluation” or Wise. Women’s pathophysiology is different from that of men.

Women have blood vessels of smaller diameter as compared to men. Blockage in minor vessels deprives the heart of oxygen, causing a condition called ischaemia. Over a time major blockages in the minor vessels and capillaries are not even picked up on an angiogram.

In the case of premenopausal women, due to the presence of estrogen hormone, stress ECG too can give a false test. For women suffering from chest pain and having a clear angiogram, the recommendation is of a stress echo or stress thallium.