How to detect heart attack and stroke in time? Fight for life

Heart attack and stroke are classified as cardiovascular diseases. There is usually a single underlying cause and a number of contributing risk factors at their onset.

Cardiovascular disease = cardiovascular disease.
It is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide.

Cardiovascular diseases include:

Atherosclerosis
high blood pressure
angina pectoris
coronary heart disease
heart attack
atrial fibrillation
heart failure
heart palpitations and cardiac arrhythmias
endocarditis
myocarditis
heart valve disease
cardiomyopathy
stroke

Group of cardiovascular diseases

What causes them?

The multifactorial action is based on two main groups.

The first are factors that cannot be influenced by our actions.

The uncontrollable risk factors are, for example:

genetic predisposition and heredity
congenital diseases
age
gender
vasomotor dysregulation
coagulation disorders - blood clotting disorders

The other side consists of those that we can influence.

The controllable risk factors are:

high cholesterol and excess dietary fat
high blood pressure
smoking
excessive alcohol intake
high salt intake in the diet
unbalanced diet and dietary errors,
low levels of antioxidants, lack of fibre
overweight and obesity
metabolic syndrome
diabetes
varicose veins
heart rhythm disorders
systemic inflammation
infections with bacteria and viruses
lack of exercise
long journeys
stress and excessive mental overload, depression
trauma

These risk factors contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. This is the process of corrosion of the arteries. Substances are deposited in the blood vessel wall that do not normally belong there.

This process disrupts and damages the blood vessels as well as their function.

It is characterised by a long-term and progressive nature. The process of deposition of inappropriate substances in the vessel wall begins at a young age and worsens over time.

The result is damaged arteries, in different places in the body at the same time. These can be the basis of disease conditions such as heart attacks, strokes and many other health complications.

Atherosclerotic lesion = atherosclerotic plaque.

This morbidly accumulated mass narrows the inner lumen of blood vessels, leading to impaired blood flow. The other serious possibility is the formation of a blood clot that sits on the damaged inner wall.

These two mechanisms are the main basis for the occurrence of the aforementioned health complications.

In addition to atherosclerosis, other medical conditions are also involved in the development of serious and life-threatening diseases, ranging from spasm (blood vessel contraction) to embolization and others.

Blood flow can also be restricted by the compression of a blood vessel by a tumour or constriction.

Read on with us to find out:
What are the typical symptoms of heart attack and stroke.
Why early recognition is important.
And what to look out for.
+ Key signs.

The heart and brain are sensitive to getting enough oxygen

Heart muscle and brain cells are very sensitive to sufficient blood supply.

In addition to oxygen, they are of course constantly supplied with nutrients to ensure their proper function.

Plus.

When these cells work, waste substances are also produced. Their removal is also essential for the normal functioning of the cells, tissues, organs and organ systems, of the body.

Constant blood flow is provided by the heart, which works like a pump. But this pump also needs energy and oxygen.

According to the time horizon, we recognize acute and chronic conditions.

The acute ones arise suddenly, within minutes or hours. It happens that they arise without previous difficulties or from full health.

A cerebral or heart attack may be the first symptom of a long-standing disease such as atherosclerosis.

Chronic diseases, on the other hand, are long-lasting, taking place over days, weeks, months or years. A good example of such a disease is coronary heart disease.

The supply and flow of blood may be partially or completely impaired. The time of onset and the overall course of symptoms also depend on this.

How severe the anaemia is will affect, for example:

the speed and extent of vessel closure
the anatomical characteristics of the circulation
the sensitivity of the organ to lack of oxygen and nutrients, the brain being the most sensitive, the skeletal muscles being less sensitive
the current state of the organ, tissue, cells
general state of circulation

A circulatory disturbance is referred to as ischemia. It is defined as local anemia, anemia of tissues and organs. It may be a partial or complete cessation of blood flow.

Ischemia is followed by necrosis (death) of the unhealed cells. This is irreversible.

Infarction is a focus of ischaemic necrosis. It is the most severe form of ischaemia. It is usually caused by the occlusion of an artery by a thrombus or emboli.

Simplified:
Infarction = tissue death caused by blockage of the arteries involved.

Occurs due to thrombosis, embolization or spasm.

The brain is most susceptible to restriction or stoppage of blood flow.

The fact is...

Ischemia of brain cells occurs after 3 to 4 minutes.

If the brain is not perfused for 9 minutes, survival is not possible.
This is especially important when breathing and cardiac activity stop.

The heart muscle (myocardium) is slightly more resistant.

Myocardial ischemia occurs after 20 minutes.
And...
After 4-9 hours, transmural necrosis (death) of tissue develops throughout the thickness of the heart wall.

Of course, other disease processes also lead to stroke and heart attack. Read more, for example, in the articles myocardial infarction, stroke, cerebrovascular disease.

Typical symptoms of heart attack and stroke

Recognising the symptoms of heart attack and stroke is of high importance for early treatment.

A...

Early expert management of these two diseases is of health and life-saving importance.

If treatment is delayed or neglected, there is a risk of a more complicated course, worse and longer recovery from the disease and the presence of permanent sequelae and other associated complications.

Delay in professional treatment may result in serious impairment of health and even death.

Whether it is the treatment of a heart attack or a cerebral infarction, the first hours after the onset of the disease are crucial.

Symptoms are usually typical and easily recognisable.

In some cases, and because of specific characteristics, an atypical, uncharacteristic course is possible. This can cause a delay in treatment because of negligence on the part of the person, but also because of misdiagnosis by a specialist.

However, effective methods of diagnosis and treatment are now available.

You ask:
What are the typical symptoms of these diseases?
How to recognize them early?
What are the symptoms of an impending heart attack?

The table below shows the typical symptoms of heart attack and stroke

Characteristic symptoms Sudden onset of problems even without previous warning signs and difficulties
Heart attack (myocardial infarction)	Stroke
Chest pain Pressure clenching burning feeling of heaviness vague and unpleasant sensation - discomfort feeling as if the sufferer has a stone in his chest, as if someone is sitting on his chest Radiating pain into the neck to the jaw to the shoulders to the upper limbs to the back between the shoulder blades to the stomach area pain persists but may subside and return the pain may be slightly relieved by the administration of nitroglycerin, which some people being treated for heart disease carry, but may not	weakness of the side of the body or paresis to plegia paresis is partial weakness and impaired mobility plegia is a complete loss of control of a limb, muscles unilateral paresis/plegia hemiparesis hemiplegia inability to control the arm or leg a person cannot hold an object in the hand unable to clench the palm of the hand into a fist fails to shake another's hand inability to move, change position and walk pulling a limb behind them falling sideways facial muscle paralysis - facial nerve lesions drooping mouth corner drooping of the eyelid leakage of saliva from the mouth or liquids when drinking inability to whistle and smile contorted face tingling in a part of the body - paresthesia tingling in a limb, in the face disturbance of skin sensitivity
heaviness on the stomach to pain in the stomach area feeling like vomiting - nausea vomiting - vomitus	visual disturbance blurred and hazy vision blindness (in one eye) double vision and others
feeling of lack of air shortness of breath - dyspnoea	headache dizziness loss of balance
paleness of the skin excessive sweating - cold sweat	speech impairment dysarthria - a disorder of pronunciation, or unintelligible speech aphasia - disorder of speech production and communication comprehension
Fear of death, anxiety - facial expression referred to as horror mortis	collapse, fainting short-term loss of consciousness disturbance of consciousness, unconsciousness, somnolence, sopor change in psyche, confusion, disorientation
feeling of fainting to fainting, syncope (collapse) short-term loss of consciousness disturbance of consciousness - unconsciousness, confusion	Vegetative manifestations from impaired brain function Pallor in the face sudden onset of nausea, heaviness in the stomach vomiting diarrhoea excessive sweating weakness and fatigue dizziness heart palpitations and tachycardia low or high blood pressure
weakness dizziness	whistling in the ears
palpitations and cardiac arrhythmias	body convulsions, as in an epileptic seizure
One or more symptoms and their combination

Recognition of these symptoms is of health and life-saving importance.

Calling the emergency medical services shortens the time from diagnosis to treatment.

Once the exact cause of the problem has been determined, effective treatment is chosen. In the case of both, this is provided by specialised centres with dedicated technical and personnel equipment and facilities.

Call the emergency medical services!

If you see signs of a heart attack or stroke in someone, don't wait to call the emergency medical services.

Cooperate with the call.
Cooperating shortens the duration of the call.

The emergency operator will ask important questions, such as:

address and landmark description, significant landmarks
the name and age of the person affected, especially if they are in a block of flats or a block of flats, in which case the name on the doorbell should also be provided
the time of onset and duration of the problem
the person's condition, vital signs and symptoms
- consciousness and his responses to questions
  - disorientation, possibly confusion and disturbances of consciousness
- quality of breathing, whether it is adequate and present, presence of grunting, labored breathing
- presence of bleeding, trauma
- pain
- quality of speech and ability to communicate
- mobility or impaired mobility
- position and current activity
long-term illness
other additional information

Remember:

Every unnecessary time delay costs the human body cells, namely brain and heart cells. For this reason, early recognition, immediate summoning of professional help and timely treatment are very important.

Otherwise, there is a risk of persisting permanent consequences, health complications and health or life threatening conditions.

sekundaprezivot.sk - Seconds for Life
casjemozog.sk - Time is Brain
nusch.sk - Healthy heart
cdc.gov - Stroke Signs and Symptoms
stroke.org - Stroke Symptoms
cdc.gov - Heart Attack Symptoms, Risk, and Recovery
nhs.uk - Symptoms - Heart attack

Bc. Lukáš Tóth

Healthcare worker

The secondary medical school in Nitra gave me the basis for my career in the field of health and diseases. Thanks to it, I worked for 2 years in the traumatology clinic and outpatient clinic at the Nitra Hospital. Since 2006 I was employed in the emergency medical service, where I stayed until 2017. I completed my bachelor's degree at the University of Constantine the Philosopher in Nitra in the field of emergency health care. The bachelor's degree allowed me to continue my mission as a paramedic. In the meantime, I got a job at the emergency line 155. I have been working in pre-hospital health care until today. I had an interest in people, health and even diseases in my childhood, which gave me the prerequisite to pursue this topic in adulthood. Studying and acquiring new information in practice provided me with a great basis for writing professional texts, in the form of articles that can be understood by ordinary people. Thus, my interest in the Health Portal has a solid foundation in years of practice and personal interest. Similarly, I am also interested in healthy eating, nutrition and overall healthy lifestyle. I fill my free time with family and sports.

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