Typical and atypical signs of a heart attack in men. Heart attacks are a threat to the heart

Article publication date: 03/02/2017

Article last updated: 12/18/2018

From this article you will learn: what is a heart attack, what signs it manifests itself. First aid and treatment. How to prevent a recurrence.

Heart attack- this is the appearance of pain in the region of the heart, which is accompanied by additional unpleasant symptoms. This phrase serves as a common name acute form coronary disease. The colloquial term "heart attack" roughly corresponds to medical term"acute coronary syndrome" - a diagnosis that is made to the patient before detailed diagnostics. After an additional examination, the diagnosis is changed to or myocardial infarction.

That is, a heart attack can be understood as either an intense attack of angina pectoris, or a heart attack.

If it occurs, call an ambulance immediately. Depending on the severity of the condition, the patient may be hospitalized or receive medical care at home, and this will be enough. After a heart attack, you will need regular follow-up with a cardiologist.

Causes of a heart attack

Pain in the heart appears due to insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle - myocardial ischemia. It arises from the deposition of inner walls coronary fat vessels or the formation of blood clots.

Factors that provoke ischemia include:

hyperlipidemia (a metabolic disorder in which the level of fats in the blood is elevated);
smoking, alcohol abuse;
obesity;
physical inactivity or, conversely, excessive physical activity;
hypertension;
diabetes;
thrombophilia (tendency to form blood clots).

The heart attack itself can be caused by an increase blood pressure during times of stress or intense physical activity. It can also occur without visible reasons- when deposits on the coronary artery block its lumen by more than 70%, or when the vessel becomes clogged with a thrombus.

Symptoms

Signs of a heart attack can appear suddenly, and sometimes there are their precursors. It depends on the severity. An attack of angina pectoris usually appears suddenly (and ends just as suddenly). And myocardial infarction is often preceded by initial symptoms ().

Signs of a mild heart attack (with angina pectoris)

This case is characterized by the following symptoms:

pressing or burning pain in the chest;
pain can "give" in left hand, shoulder, neck, in the interscapular region or in the stomach;
if the pain radiates to the abdomen, then nausea is added to the main symptom.

Let's take a closer look at the main symptoms of a heart attack and the previous signs.

Harbingers of a heart attack

If a person has previously suffered from attacks of pain in the heart, then they become more frequent and intense. This indicates the transition of angina pectoris from a stable form to an unstable one. If the symptoms chronic ischemia began to bother you more often than usual, immediately contact your treating cardiologist. Treatment will need to be adjusted to prevent myocardial necrosis.

Often a heart attack is preceded by symptoms that not everyone takes seriously. It:

Periodic discomfort in the chest, sometimes in the entire upper body (arms, neck, head).
Shortness of breath, poor tolerance to stuffy rooms.
Weakness and fatigue - even in the absence of active physical or mental activity.
Swelling of the legs.
Insomnia, anxiety.
Dizziness.

Some of these signs may even appear 20 to 30 days before a heart attack. Usually people who are attentive to their health complain about them. Those who are used to always delaying going to the doctor to the last may not even notice these harbingers.

If you experience the symptoms listed in the list, even if they do not bother you much, contact the clinic for preventive examination the whole organism.

Heart attack symptoms

The main symptom is severe pressing or burning pain behind the sternum. Can give to left side(arm, shoulder, neck), less often - in right side chest or stomach.

Pain does not go away within 15 minutes - 3 hours. Sometimes the pain can last for days, but with periods of relaxation.

The appearance of this symptom alone is already a reason to call ambulance.

Additional symptoms

Additional signs of a heart attack:

weakness in the body;
increased sweating;
shortness of breath, feeling short of breath;
fast or irregular heartbeat;
nausea;
pallor or blueness of the skin;
dizziness (rarely - fainting).

It is not necessary for all of these symptoms to appear at the same time. Clinical picture heart attack usually consists of the main sign (chest pain) and two or three additional.

It's difficult to breathe.
The head is spinning.
I have a stomachache.
There is weakness in the whole body.

Sometimes such patients lose consciousness.

How to act during an attack

If you had a heart attack during physical activity, gradually stop all your actions, sit down, calm down, try to move less, do not panic.
If you already had similar states, take the pills your doctor has prescribed for you to relieve pain (usually nitroglycerin).
If the medicine does not work within 3-5 minutes, call an ambulance (describe all your symptoms as fully as possible on the phone).
While the medics are on the road, take an Aspirin. This is a very important part of first aid. Aspirin prevents the formation of blood clots and thins the blood, which facilitates blood circulation through a narrowed vessel. Thus, further myocardial death can be prevented. Even if in the end it turns out that you do not have a heart attack, but just an angina attack, Aspirin will not hurt.
If you are very worried about pain, you can drink another Nitroglycerin tablet, but not earlier than 5 minutes after the first. Before this, it is desirable to measure the pressure. If it is lowered, you can no longer drink Nitroglycerin. If you are prone to reduced pressure, it is better not to take Nitroglycerin until the doctors arrive.

If your relative or friend has signs of a heart attack, you need to act in a similar way. Have the patient sit in a comfortable position, open a window if possible. Ask if he had similar conditions before (it is advisable to report whether this is the first or a second attack when calling an ambulance). Call a doctor. Give me an aspirin.

Treatment

With any form of heart attack (both angina and heart attack), the patient as the first medical care shown:

Nitroglycerin or other nitrates.
Antiplatelet agents (Aspirin or similar drugs).
Beta blockers.

With a heart attack, anticoagulants (Heparin) and thrombolytics (Streptokinase) are also administered, if pain persists - morphine.

Drugs for myocardial infarction

After detailed examination the patient may be prescribed an operation to restore the blood supply to the myocardium: coronary angioplasty or.

Further treatment will be to prevent recurrent attacks of angina pectoris or myocardial infarction. Patients are prescribed such drugs:

Aspirin is mandatory for all patients with angina pectoris or a previous heart attack.
Statins - to control the level of fats in the blood.
Beta-blockers - to reduce pressure and eliminate arrhythmias.
Diuretics - relieve swelling, thereby reducing the load on the myocardium.
Nitroglycerin - for repeated episodes of heart pain.

Later lifestyle

If you do not want to have a heart attack again, follow these rules:

Quit smoking and drinking alcohol completely.
get busy physical therapy if your doctor has recommended it.
Stick to the diet prescribed for you (do not eat salty, fatty, fried, smoked, limit the consumption of sweet and starchy foods).

Forecast

It largely depends on how quickly medical care is provided. In case of a heart attack, treatment should be started within 40 minutes of the onset of heart pain or other symptoms. Therefore, it is important to call an ambulance in time.

The prognosis for any heart attack is conditionally unfavorable: ischemia cannot be cured completely. However, if you follow all the recommendations of the doctor, you can avoid a second attack and significantly extend your life.

What every person needs to know about pain in the heart, what are the terrible symptoms of myocardial infarction, why a heart attack occurs, as well as factors that increase the risk of developing atherosclerosis. What drugs are relevant and should be in home first aid kit, and how to render the first first aid a person who had a heart attack in front of you. Let's look at all these questions in more detail.

Any doctor in his practice sooner or later encounters such a phenomenon as complaints of pain in the region of the heart. However, not every pain described by the patient as cardiac can be such. By the way, true heart pain is much less common than pain, as a result of the development of other diseases, for example, the stomach and musculoskeletal - motor system. Women, unlike men, are naturally more protected from various kinds of troubles associated with heart problems, due to physiological features organism. Therefore, frequent visitors to the cardiologist's office are men aged 40 and older.

Heart and location in the human body

Let's consider in detail:

The heart is a hollow muscular organ, with an approximate weight of 250 - 300 grams, located at the level of 5-8 thoracic vertebrae with a predominant shift to the left half chest, and having four chambers in its structure, separated by thick muscular partitions. Between these partitions are heart valves, which ensure the movement of blood in only one direction. The size of the heart can increase as a result of the development of a number of certain diseases, as well as during intense physical exertion, for example, when playing sports.

The heart has reliable protection - the pericardial sac or pericardium. it upper layer walls of the heart. Next comes the dense muscle layer or myocardium. Inner shell heart is called the endocardium.

Our heart needs constant nourishment, in the form of oxygen and nutrients. This food is provided coronary vessels through the circulatory system, in which the heart acts as a pump. As we can see, the heart is a complexly organized organ that contracts continuously, with small pauses for rest, which are measured in seconds. Therefore, this body requires a careful attitude and regular examination, especially after 40 years.

The classification of heart diseases is quite large, ranging from various violations heart rate, inflammatory diseases membranes, hypertension, malformations (congenital or acquired), diseases of the heart vessels and ending with acute vascular disorders that develop mainly against the background of coronary heart disease, which we will discuss in this article.

Heart disease is rejuvenated. Now you will not surprise anyone with "young" heart attacks, which are more common in men even at the age of twenty.

Symptoms of heart disease

All heart diseases, as a rule, have similar symptoms:

Pain in the chest.

Let's take a closer look at the characteristics of heart pain.

The very first and most revealing clinical gesture that characterizes heart pain is the "tie symptom", that is, the pain is localized in the place where a man usually ties a knot in his tie. This is an indicator of heart pain. Another striking clinical gesture is a clenched fist at the sternum. Heart pain, in most cases, is paroxysmal, temporary. It can be characterized as compressive, which occurs most often against the background of physical exertion (angina pectoris), or sharp, unbearable, with a feeling of lack of air and other symptoms. This pain is the worst.

Rapid fatigue and weakness.

Most often, this symptom occurs against the background of circulatory failure and, as a rule, indicates oxygen starvation heart muscle. A sharp, sudden weakness (“legs buckled”) is a symptom of myocardial infarction.

Arrhythmia.

Most often, patients complain of increased heart rate, usually occurring at rest, suddenly, for no apparent reason. Feeling as if the heart is turning or somersaulting in the chest also indicates the presence of an arrhythmia. These symptoms may be accompanied by a feeling of lack of air, darkening of the eyes and a feeling of fear.

This symptom, as a rule, occurs with some types of bradyarrhythmia or cardiac hypotension.

Dyspnea.

Perhaps one of the most characteristic symptoms talking about heart problems. At first, this can be short-term episodes of feeling short of breath. But, as the underlying disease develops, shortness of breath can disturb at rest, and even at night. Sometimes accessory muscles are involved in the process of breathing, for example, the muscles of the shoulder girdle.

Acute vascular disorders in all their cases are dangerous not only for health, but also for human life. Most often, such attacks are a consequence of the development of the disease - atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis- multifactorial, chronic illness with damage to the arteries, due to a violation of the vascular wall.

The following factors lead to the development of atherosclerosis: smoking, obesity, diabetes mellitus, some behavioral reactions, lack of vitamin C, as well as the age and gender of the patient.

Atherosclerosis is the basis for the development of many pathologies of the heart and its vessels, including the development of coronary heart disease.

IHD - a disease characterized by an absolute or relative impairment coronary circulation. The development of this disease most often affects people aged 60-75 years and older. This disease has the following clinical forms:

Sudden cardiac death.
Angina:

first appeared;
stable;
Progressive.

myocardial infarction;
Violation of the heart rhythm;
Heart failure.

All these clinical forms pose a serious threat not only to health, but also to human life. Therefore, assistance in each specific case should be provided immediately.

Angina - or in other words "angina pectoris". It is characterized by pain behind the sternum, which is increasing - decreasing in nature, which usually lasts for 5-10 minutes. The most typical seizures are most often provoked physical activity. Atypical manifestations of angina pectoris include: shortness of breath, coughing, heartburn, a change in the localization of pain, an increasing nature of pain.

A person who has had an attack of angina pectoris for the first time needs immediate hospitalization. What can be done before the arrival of doctors (self-help or when assisting a patient):

Calm down, relax, try to breathe evenly and slowly, completely eliminate all physical activity.
Take a nitroglycerin tablet under the tongue. This can be done 3 times, with an interval of 5 minutes.
Sit at the window or take the person out into the fresh air, take a semi-sitting position.
Carry out a set of distracting procedures: put a warm heating pad or mustard plasters at your feet.
If the attack occurred for the first time - call the emergency team.

Myocardial infarction - a disease characterized by the formation of a necrotic focus in the heart muscle as a result of an absolute violation of blood flow, and, as a result, sharp drop myocardial contractility.

The most common causes of a heart attack are "unstable" atherosclerotic plaque and sudden, severe spasm vessels (more often, during emotional stress).

The main manifestations are characterized by:

Prolonged pain behind the sternum, which is not stopped by nitroglycerin.
Shortness of breath, sudden severe weakness, cold, clammy sweat.
A feeling of fear, up to a state of psychosis. A person completely loses control over his actions.
An increase in body temperature.
Decreased criticism of one's condition.
Thready pulse, drop in blood pressure.

First aid for a heart attack

First aid:

Calm yourself or calm the victim. Allow him to take a comfortable position for himself (optimally - in a prone position).
Take a nitroglycerin tablet under the tongue. This can be done three times, with an interval of 5 minutes.
Provide the victim with a flow fresh air, unbutton the collar and belt.
If the arrival of doctors is delayed, and the pain is unbearable, you should take an analgin tablet.
Measure the victim's pulse and blood pressure every 5 minutes.
Talk, encourage a person, bring a set of distracting procedures (lower the victim’s legs in a basin of warm water or put them in calf muscles heaters).

Attention! For the elderly and old age myocardial infarction attack can be painless!! This, in most cases, makes the diagnosis very difficult.

Always remember that a person's life depends on your quick and decisive actions.

But, as you know, a person is the master of his own destiny and his health. A few simple preventive measures, which should go with you through life, will allow you to maintain a healthy heart until old age.

Heart attack prevention

First of all, you need to follow a diet. Limit the amount of fats and sugars in your diet, but at the same time, increase the amount of foods containing Omega-3. (fish, vegetables, fruits, seafood, vegetable oils).
Limit alcohol and tobacco use.
Moderate physical activity will bring undoubted benefits to your health.
try to avoid stressful situations, treat everything with a sober head, calmly, balanced.
If the doctor, according to your diagnosis, prescribed you drugs that need to be taken for a long time or for life, then you need to do this. You can't miss taking your medications!
It is necessary to increase potassium-rich foods in your diet: dried apricots, raisins, baked potatoes. It has been proven that 2-3 dried apricots per day fully satisfy the body's need for potassium.
Keep nitroglycerin in your first aid kit or purse at all times. If necessary, it can be used for self-help or to help others. Also, a drug such as Corvalol, Valocordin or Valoserdin will not interfere. You can have preparations of motherwort or valerian. It is also necessary to have analgin or another anesthetic drug. If necessary, you can use it.

Cardiovascular diseases are common throughout the world. In addition, they are the most common cause of death. Their cunning lies in the fact that they can long time have no symptoms or the signs are so mild that the person does not pay attention to them. It happens that the patient learns about his condition only after a heart attack, which may well end lethal outcome. No wonder he is called a silent or silent killer. Its very first manifestations go unnoticed for several months. It is very important to be aware of what the signs of a heart attack might be. The earlier the pathology is detected, the more effective the treatment will be.

early signs

Knowing the first signs of a heart attack, you can consult a doctor in a timely manner and prevent severe complications. The following symptoms can serve as a warning about the approach of a myocardial infarction:

The most common symptom is shortness of breath, which is characterized by cardiac and pulmonary insufficiency. A person experiences slight suffocation and lack of air, both during physical exertion and at rest. This is due to the fact that the heart is not able to deliver enough oxygen to organs and tissues. According to statistics, the vast majority of those who had a heart attack had this symptom.
A typical symptom of a heart attack is chest pain. It has a pressing, squeezing, burning character. Sometimes it can just be discomfort. The pain is often given to the left shoulder blade, arm, jaw, neck. Occurs intermittently over several weeks. Pain syndrome is the very first sign of an approaching heart attack.
With cardiac pathologies, complaints of dizziness and loss of balance are not uncommon.
Symptoms of a heart attack include: constant fatigue and fast fatiguability. Many of us are used to not paying attention to such manifestations, attributing them to high loads and stresses. With heart problems, fatigue quickly accumulates, a person feels more and more “broken” every day.
Signs such as heaviness in the legs and swelling may also indicate the approach of a heart attack. At the end of the day, shoes become tight, it is impossible to remove the ring from the finger, there are traces of gum socks on the legs.
Sleep disturbance and anxiety that occur unexpectedly and for no reason.
Excessive sweating can be a warning sign of a heart attack. If you find yourself constantly sweating for no reason for a long time, you need to visit a doctor.
Rapid pulse and palpitations tend to occur frequently and last long enough.
Loss of consciousness or fainting is a serious reason to see a doctor.
Stomach pain and nausea possible signs approaching heart attack.

It should be remembered that one should not rely on any one or two symptoms. Some of the listed signs may be absent with heart problems, as well as being manifestations of other diseases. However, having discovered such symptoms in yourself, you need to be examined by a cardiologist.

You should be aware that some unusual signs speak of heart problems that can end in an attack. These include:

Heartburn. In fact, angina pain that is concentrated in the upper abdomen is often mistaken for heartburn.
Sleep apnea and snoring. These symptoms may be directly related to cardiovascular disease.
A flu-like condition in which there is weakness, clammy sweat, cold skin.
A person may experience anxiety, expect the approach of something bad.
It is believed that inflammation of the periodontium, the tissues that surround the tooth, may be associated with cardiac pathologies.

Symptoms of a heart attack in women and men

Symptoms of a heart attack in men and women have some differences. In women, heart problems begin much later than in men. This is due to the fact that they are protected by nature in connection with childbearing. But after 50 years, with the onset of menopause, there is a risk of heart disease and at 65, women are just as susceptible to them as men. Another feature is that men are more likely to survive a heart attack, while women are much less likely to have such a chance. Therefore, it is especially important for them early diagnosis and treatment.

The same symptoms in both sexes:

dyspnea;
increased sweating;
pain is given to left shoulder, arm, jaw, neck.

As for chest pain during a heart attack, not all women experience it. Many possible signs are almost imperceptible. The following symptoms may indicate the imminent occurrence of a heart attack:

arrhythmia;
dizziness;
cough;
burning in the chest;
disturbed digestion;
nausea and vomiting;
weakness;
sudden fatigue.

In case of a heart attack, it is extremely important to provide timely first aid

First aid

If you suspect a heart attack, you should immediately call an ambulance. While waiting for the arrival of doctors, it is required to provide the patient with first aid, which consists of the following:

Calm down the person.
Sit or lay on your back with a pillow under your head.
Provide air access to the room, unbutton the collar of the clothes and the belt.
Give the patient to drink an aspirin tablet and nitroglycerin under the tongue until completely dissolved. Aspirin prevents blood clots from forming, and nitroglycerin relieves pain.

If the pain could not be relieved, re-give nitroglycerin, but not more than three tablets. If a person has great weakness, it is necessary to raise his legs above his head and give him a glass of water to drink, excluding nitroglycerin.

Pulse and respiration should be checked. If they disappear, the task becomes more difficult. In this case, you will need to do a heart massage and artificial respiration. Perhaps many do not have such skills, but it can be the only way save a person's life.

Aspirin should not be taken if it is contraindicated or if there is an exacerbation of a stomach ulcer. At low pressure, nitroglycerin should be abandoned. The patient can not get up, walk, eat.

Diseases of cardio-vascular system men come first. Signs of a heart attack in men are reduced to pain in the region of the heart and chest, lack of air.

If you suspect a heart attack, you should call an ambulance, as this condition can be a heart attack. It is necessary to consider the question of what are the main symptoms of cardiac disorders.

Relationship between heart attack and cardiac arrest

Heart attack or may cause death. The causes of a heart attack are associated with a malfunction of the blood vessel system. The heart is a kind of pump that circulates blood throughout the body.

The organ needs energy to carry out its functions, the flow of blood, which is enriched with oxygen, nutrients. When the arteries become clogged with blood clots, the heart does not get enough energy, and it is vital. Cells begin to starve and die. The body in this case is under threat of termination of work.

Sometimes cardiac arrest occurs, which is caused by an electrical nature. Regular electrical impulses are involved in the performance of its functions; when the constancy of the heartbeat is disturbed, it becomes arrhythmic (irregular), which adversely affects cardiac activity, this important organ may cease to function. Heart attack and various diseases, but in some cases, a heart attack can cause cardiac arrest. Some diseases may not show symptoms or signs for a long time, or show them so weakly that a person does not pay attention to them.

How to deal with a heart attack

People who have a heart disorder need emergency medical attention, they have the following main symptoms:

discomfort and pain (acute, aching, burning) in the chest area, on the left side of the body;
dyspnea;
sweating;
nausea;
high blood pressure;
fast heartbeat;
dizziness;
loss of consciousness.

Men who have experienced a severe disorder are more likely to experience it again. A heart attack is a form of myocardial infarction that is a common cause of death in older men. With such a disorder, anxiety, fears, anxiety often appear. Patients require long-term hospitalization.

In the cardiology department of the hospital, diagnostics are carried out, revealing serious lesions. Diagnosis of the cardiovascular system includes:

electrocardiogram;
echocardiography;
blood tests;
cardiac catheterization.

When a heart attack is diagnosed, treatment is started immediately, using surgical methods and medicines.

Therapy of the cardiovascular system consists in increasing the pumping function of the myocardium, reducing the load on the heart, improving its work, expanding blood vessels, and reducing pain. To restore the blood supply to the heart muscle, if necessary, carry out surgical intervention by shunting.

In the event of an illness, it is very important to keep the heart in healthy condition and reduce the risk of relapse; this is achieved by using necessary medicines, lifestyle changes, leaving bad habits by regular visits to the attending physician.

The heart muscle requires a continuous supply of oxygen-rich blood for nourishment. The coronary arteries provide the heart with a significant amount of blood. If you have coronary artery disease, the arteries become narrow and blood cannot move through them properly. fatty substance, calcium, proteins and inflammatory cells accumulate inside the arteries and form plaques of various sizes. These plaques are hard on the outside but soft and porous on the inside.

If the plaque is very hard, the outer shell cracks (rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque), platelets (disc-shaped particles in the blood that are responsible for blood clotting) enter this area, and blood clots accumulate around the plaque. If blood clots completely block an artery, the heart muscle begins to lack oxygen. Within a short period of time, heart muscle cells begin to die, causing permanent damage. This is what happens during a heart attack.

In addition, a heart attack can also be caused by a coronary artery spasm. During this spasm, the coronary arteries contract, reducing the supply of blood to the heart (ischemia). Spasm can occur at rest and can even occur in people who do not have coronary artery disease.

Each coronary artery supplies blood to a region of the heart muscle. The amount of damage to the heart muscle depends on the size of the area supplied by the blocked artery and the time between injury and treatment.

What drugs are used to treat a heart attack?

Goals drug therapy is to break up or prevent blood clots, prevent platelets from accumulating and attaching to plaque, and preventing further ischemia.

These drugs must be taken as soon as possible (within 1 to 2 hours of the onset of a heart attack) to reduce damage to the heart. The later the patient takes these drugs, the more damage may occur and the less benefit they will bring.

Medications used during a heart attack may include:

Aspirin to prevent blood clots that can make a heart attack worse.
Other antiplatelet agents such as Brilinta, Effent or Plavix to prevent blood clots.
Thrombolytic therapy to break up any blood clots in the arteries of the heart.
Any combination of these drugs.

Other drugs taken during and after a heart attack reduce the work of the heart, improve heart function, dilate blood vessels, relieve pain, and protect against life-threatening heart rhythms.

Are there other treatments for heart attacks?

During or shortly after a heart attack, you can go to a cath lab for an accurate assessment of your heart, arteries, and damage to your heart. In some cases, procedures (such as angioplasty or stents) are used to open narrowed or blocked arteries.

If necessary, a bypass operation may be performed a few days after a heart attack to restore the necessary amount of blood to the heart.

Methods of treatment ( medications, operation on open heart and surgical procedures such as angioplasty) cannot cure coronary artery disease. Having experienced a heart attack and undergoing treatment, you are not protected from another heart attack. it maybe happen again. But there are several ways to prevent further heart attacks.

How to prevent an attack in the future?

After a heart attack, the goal is to keep your heart healthy and reduce your risk of having another heart attack. the best way prevent subsequent attacks is medication, lifestyle changes and regular doctor's appointments.

Why is it necessary to take medicine after a heart attack?

When will I see my doctor after I leave the hospital?

Make an appointment with your doctor within 4-6 weeks of a heart attack. Your doctor will want to check your recovery progress. Your doctor may ask you to have a diagnostic test (such as an exercise electrocardiogram). This examination can help the doctor identify the presence or progression of blockages in the coronary arteries and plan treatment.

Call your doctor early if you have symptoms such as chest pain that comes on more often, gets worse, lasts longer, or spreads to other areas, difficulty breathing, especially at rest, dizziness, or