Every 40 seconds in the United States, someone has a heart attack. To reduce your risk factors for heart attack that put your health at risk, board-certified cardiologist, Khuyen Do, MD, offers comprehensive preventive resources at Houston Cardiology in Southwest Houston, Texas. Dr. Do and his cardiology team also provides routine care following a heart attack to minimize permanent tissue damage and protect the long-term health of your heart. Learn more about the available resources for preventing heart attacks by calling Houston Cardiology today.
Heart Attack Q & A
What is a heart attack?
A heart attack occurs when there’s a blockage that restricts normal blood flow to your heart. The most common cause of the blockage is a buildup of cholesterol-containing plaque in the coronary arteries.
The plaque can harden over time and narrow your arteries, restricting the flow of blood. You can also develop a blood clot that obstructs normal blood flow, which leads to damage in the heart muscle.
Your risk for a heart attack increases as you age and due to factors like:
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Tobacco use
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
If you’re frequently stressed out or have a family history of heart attacks, your risk for having a heart attack increases.
Without immediate medical treatment, a heart attack can be fatal. It’s important that you seek help by calling 911 as soon as you experience symptoms of a heart attack.
What are the warning signs of a heart attack?
There are several symptoms that can indicate you’re having a heart attack. While these symptoms can also relate to other underlying health issues, it’s important you schedule diagnostic testing with Dr. Do as soon as possible.
The most common warning sign of a heart attack is chest pain or pressure that can spread down into your arm or into your back or jaw. Other symptoms of a heart attack include:
- Fatigue
- Cold sweats
- Heartburn
- Abdominal pain
- Shortness of breath
- Sudden dizziness or lightheadedness
Everyone experiences symptoms of a heart attack differently and the severity of symptoms can vary, too.
How is a heart attack diagnosed?
During diagnostic testing for a heart attack, your Houston Cardiology provider reviews your medical history and discusses the type and severity of your symptoms. They may order blood work that can show proteins from the heart that leak into your blood following a heart attack.
The Houston Cardiology specialists also offer a variety of on-site diagnostic heart tests, such as:
Stress testing Echocardiogram Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Your provider may also recommend a coronary catheterization, which involves injecting a special dye into your coronary arteries to identify existing blockages.
How is a heart attack treated?
The goal of treating a heart attack is to reduce the amount of damage that occurs in the heart muscle. Every minute after an attack, heart tissue deteriorates and dies.
Your Houston Cardiology provider customizes your treatment plan to protect your long-term heart health. Treatment may include medications to thin your blood and to relax your heart muscles.
If blockages in your arteries are severe, the medical team may recommend surgery to place a stent that widens the artery or bypass surgery to reroute blood to healthier arteries.
To learn more about what you can do to reduce your heart attack risk, schedule a consultation with Dr. Do and his team by calling Houston Cardiology.