Eye drops that cause heart attack. Symptoms caused by fluid accumulation and stagnation

• Cardiac glycosides and drugs containing potassium
• Muscle relaxants and gastroenterological drugs
• Antibiotics and vitamins
• Psychotropic drugs

Among many medical supplies There are medications that cause. It is for this reason that doctors strongly recommend not to self-medicate, but to take medications only after consultation with a specialist. Even an ordinary analgesic that a person takes for a headache, if there is alcohol in the blood, can cause coma and subsequent cardiac arrest.

That is, the lethal medicine may not necessarily be an injection, it can be ordinary pills. Drugs that cause cardiac arrest and death include:

• cardiac glycosides;
• medicines containing potassium;
• muscle relaxants;
• antibiotics;
• vitamins;
• psychotropic medications;
• drugs for the treatment of heartburn.

Cardiac glycosides and drugs containing potassium

Cardiac glycosides are medications that increase contractions of the heart muscle (myocardium). Similar effects may occur due to adrenaline, caffeine, camphor and other biological active substances. Cardiac glycosides are complex organic substances of plant origin. They have a selective cardiotonic effect, most often on diseased heart. Medicines are used for acute and chronic forms of heart failure. The glycosides include adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), which ensures the transport of K, Na, Ca ions, which allows you to restore energy and electrolyte metabolic processes in the myocardium and improve the absorption of creatine phosphate.

Cardiac arrest can occur not only with a drug overdose, but also with a standard concentration of substances in the blood. Mostly, deaths can occur if the dosage of the drug is violated. People who have hypoxia (oxygen starvation), hypokalemia, hypercalcemia, renal failure, hypothyroidism, hypomagnesemia, hypoproteinemia are at risk. Cardiac arrest can occur when taking cardiac glycosides along with other drugs.

Cardiac glycosides are dangerous drugs. Overdose is a fairly serious condition, which in most cases leads to death, therefore, in case of disturbances in heart rhythms, headache, dizziness, or hallucinations, you should immediately seek help from a medical center. It will not be possible to carry out measures to remove the drug from the body on your own at home.

Potassium is a substance that is involved in intracellular metabolic processes, regulates heart contractions, participates in water-electrolyte balance, normalizes osmotic pressure. Thanks to this element, transmission is carried out nerve impulses from neurons to neurons. Both too much potassium and too little potassium can cause cardiac arrest.

In the United States, the electric chair is no longer used for capital punishment; lethal injections are carried out with pure potassium.

At drip administration A large dose of the drug inhibits cardiac activity, which causes cardiac arrest. 14 grams of potassium is enough to cause death.

People who have kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, or stomach ulcers should consult a specialist before using potassium-containing drugs. Symptoms of an overdose include disorientation, tingling in the arms and legs, a sharp decrease in blood pressure, abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia is replaced by a slow heartbeat), weakness, coma. Methods for cleansing the body of potassium can only be carried out in inpatient conditions. In sufficient doses, potassium is completely safe. One should also take into account the fact that an insufficient amount Potassium in the body can also lead to cardiac arrest because in this case glucose cannot be converted into an energy source. This causes energy starvation of the muscles of the whole body; they cannot contract, including the myocardium. This causes cardiac arrest.

The presence of cardiac glycosides can be determined immediately after death. If an autopsy is performed after 2-3 days, it is no longer possible to detect substances in the blood.

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Muscle relaxants and gastroenterological drugs

Muscle relaxants are medications that reduce muscle tone. In medicine they are used for general anesthesia. Thanks to the blockade of H-cholinergic receptors at the synapses, the supply of nerve impulses to skeletal muscles stops, and they stop contracting, including the heart muscle. An overdose of muscle relaxants ends in 90% of deaths due to cardiac arrest. If a person is allergic to such drugs, it is necessary to report this, because if there are allergic reactions when the drug is administered, anaphylactic shock which will cause cardiac arrest. The risk group includes people who have diseases of the cardiovascular system and pathological processes in the respiratory system. In case of overdose, such people experience rapid heartbeat, arterial hypotension, bradycardia and cardiac arrest.

Some gastroenterological drugs used to treat common heartburn may also cause sudden stop hearts. When taking a large dose of such drugs, dangerous side effects occur: seizures, abnormal heart contractions, neurological pathologies, cardiac arrest. In some cases, such drugs are used during lactation. But this is strictly forbidden: cardiac arrest can be caused not only in a nursing woman, but also in a child.

Article publication date: 03/02/2017

Article updated date: 12/18/2018

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

A heart attack is the appearance of pain in the heart area, which is accompanied by additional unpleasant symptoms. This phrase serves as a common name acute form ischemic disease. The colloquial term "heart attack" roughly corresponds to medical term“acute coronary syndrome” is a diagnosis that is given to the patient before detailed diagnostics. After additional examination the diagnosis is changed to myocardial infarction.

That is, a heart attack can be understood as either an intense attack of angina 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 to see a cardiologist regularly.

Causes of heart attack

Pain in the heart appears due to insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle - myocardial ischemia. It occurs due to deposition on internal walls coronary artery fat or blood clot formation.

Factors that provoke ischemia include:

• hyperlipidemia (metabolic disorder in which the level of fats in the blood is increased);
• 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 increased blood pressure during times of stress or intense physical activity. It can also occur for no apparent reason - when deposits on the coronary artery block its lumen by more than 70%, or when the vessel is blocked by a blood clot.

Symptoms

Signs of a heart attack can appear suddenly, and sometimes there are warning signs. It depends on the severity. An attack of angina 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)

The following symptoms are typical for this case:

• pressing or burning pain in the chest;
• the pain can “radiate” to the left arm, shoulder, neck, interscapular area or stomach;
• if the pain radiates to the stomach, then nausea is added to the main symptom.

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

Precursors of a heart attack

If a person has previously suffered from attacks of heart pain, then they become more frequent and intense. This indicates the transition of angina from a stable form to an unstable one. If symptoms of chronic ischemia begin 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. This:

1. Periodic feeling of discomfort in the chest, sometimes in the entire upper body (arms, neck, head).
2. Shortness of breath, poor tolerance to stuffy rooms.
3. Weakness and fatigue - even in the absence of active physical or mental activity.
4. Swelling of the legs.
5. Insomnia, anxiety.
6. 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 putting off going to the doctor until the last minute may not even notice these warning signs.

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

Symptoms of a heart attack

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

The pain does not go away within 15 minutes - 3 hours. Sometimes the pain can last a day, but with periods of weakening.

The appearance of this one symptom 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 of lack of air;
• fast or irregular heartbeat;
• nausea;
• pale or bluish skin;
• dizziness (less commonly, fainting).

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

1. It's difficult to breathe.
2. My head is spinning.
3. I have a stomachache.
4. Feels weak throughout the whole body.

Sometimes such patients lose consciousness.

What to do during an attack

• If you have a heart attack during physical activity, gradually stop all your activities, sit down, calm down, try to move less, and don’t panic.
• If you have already had similar conditions, take the pills your doctor prescribed for pain relief (usually Nitroglycerin).
• If the medicine does not work within 3-5 minutes, call an ambulance (describe all your symptoms as fully as possible over the phone).
  While doctors are on the road, take 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 the narrowed vessel. In this way, further death of the myocardium can be prevented. Even if it turns out in the end that you are not having a heart attack, but just an attack of angina, Aspirin will not harm.
• If you are very bothered by pain, you can take another Nitroglycerin tablet, but not earlier than 5 minutes after the first. Before doing this, it is advisable to measure the pressure. If it is lowered, you can no longer drink Nitroglycerin. If you are inclined to low blood pressure, it is better not to take Nitroglycerin until the doctors arrive.

If your relative or friend shows signs of a heart attack, you need to act in a similar way. Place the patient in comfortable position, if possible, open a window. Ask if he has had similar conditions before (it is advisable to inform him about whether this is the first or a repeated attack when calling an ambulance). Call a doctor. Give an Aspirin tablet.

Treatment

For any form of heart attack (both angina and heart attack), the patient is shown the following as first aid:

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

During a heart attack, anticoagulants (Heparin) and thrombolytics (Streptokinase) are also administered; if pain persists, morphine is administered.

Drugs for myocardial infarction

After a detailed examination, the patient may be prescribed surgery to restore blood supply to the myocardium: coronary angioplasty or.

Further treatment will consist of preventing recurrent attacks of angina or myocardial infarction. Patients are prescribed the following drugs:

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

Further lifestyle

If you don't want to have another heart attack, follow these rules:

1. Stop smoking and drinking alcohol completely.
2. Exercise physical therapy if your doctor recommends it.
3. Follow the diet prescribed to you (do not eat salty, fatty, fried, smoked foods, limit your consumption of sweets and starchy foods).

Forecast

It largely depends on how quickly medical care is provided. In case of a heart attack, treatment must begin within 40 minutes from 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 doctor’s recommendations, you can avoid a second attack and significantly prolong your life.

Among the thousands of names of medicines, there are also drugs causing a stop hearts. This is one of the reasons why doctors strongly oppose self-medication, insisting that the purchase of a drug be preceded by a consultation with a specialist. Surprisingly, even a seemingly innocent analgesic, often taken for headaches, can lead to coma with subsequent cardiac arrest due to the alcohol in the blood.

General information about drugs that cause cardiac arrest

Cardiac arrest is called clinical death. If the heart fails to restart within 5-10 minutes, the neurons of the brain will begin to die, which will mean the final and irrevocable death of the person.

In medicine, drugs are often used that lead to cardiac arrest in case of an overdose or with a cumulative effect if the liver or kidneys cannot cope with their elimination due to constant use. Doctors must be aware of potential danger such drugs. Therefore, these medications are prescribed according to clear indications, and for each patient exact calculation an acceptable dosage for him, which could only have a therapeutic effect, without side effects.

Sometimes drugs that stop the heart only exhibit these properties when they interact with other drugs the person is using or with alcohol and drugs. The same narcotic drugs that are used in large doses for purely medical purposes for unbearable pain cause depression, which can result in complete cardiac arrest. Strong psychotropic, hypnotic and anticonvulsant drugs act similarly.

All drugs that can cause cardiac arrest must either be used in medical hospitals or dispensed only on the basis of prescriptions for which strict accounting forms are used.

The following heart drugs that cause cardiac arrest may be dangerous:

• potassium preparations;
• drugs that relieve heartburn;
• cardiac glycosides;
• vitamins;
• antibiotics;
• muscle relaxants;
• psychotropic drugs.

Cardiac glycosides

Cardiac glycosides are a group of drugs that activate contractions of the heart muscle. They act similarly to these natural substances, like caffeine, adrenaline, camphor, etc. These are complex organic substances of plant origin that have a selective cardiotonic effect, therefore they are usually used for heart diseases, for example, chronic or acute heart failure. The glycosides contain adenosine triphosphatase, which is responsible for the transfer of potassium, sodium and calcium ions, which is necessary for electrolyte and energy metabolic processes in the myocardium. In addition, ATP is necessary in the process of absorption of creatine phosphate.

Such drugs are used in the form of solutions intended for intravenous administration, which should be carried out in a hospital with simultaneous ECG monitoring. With their help, the necessary therapeutic effect is achieved, and if maintenance therapy is then required, the patient continues to take them, but in tablets, not forgetting to regularly visit the attending physician, take a biochemical blood test and undergo an ECG test.

Not only an overdose of drugs, but even their normal content in the blood can lead to cardiac arrest, although it should be recognized that more often it is overdoses that lead to cardiac arrest. For example, people suffering from oxygen starvation - hypoxia, hypercalcemia, hyperkalemia, renal failure, post-infarction cardiosclerosis, hypoproteinemia, hypomagnesemia, hypothyroidism are at risk. It can also lead to cardiac arrest joint use cardiac glycosides and some other medications.

The danger of an overdose of cardiac glycosides is that most often it causes death. Therefore, if after taking such drugs you begin to experience headaches, heart rhythm disturbances, hallucinations and dizziness, you should immediately consult a doctor, since it is not possible to quickly remove the drug at home.

An overdose of cardiac glycosides can be detected no later than 2-3 days after the death of a person, after which they cease to be detected.

Potassium-containing drugs

Potassium is a very important element involved in intracellular metabolism, regulation of heart contractions, water and electrolyte balance, it normalizes osmotic pressure. With the help of potassium, nerve impulses are transmitted between neurons.

Patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases, kidney disease, stomach ulcers, before taking medications containing potassium, you should definitely visit a doctor. Drugs that cause cardiac arrest should alert you to the following symptoms:

• tingling in the limbs;
• disorientation;
• a sharp drop in blood pressure;
• weakness;
• arrhythmia (change from tachycardia to bradycardia);
• coma.

Both excess and lack of potassium in the body can lead to cardiac arrest. In the latter case, the metabolism of glucose with the release of energy becomes difficult, as a result of which all the muscles of the body, including the myocardium, begin to experience energy starvation and stop contracting, which leads to cardiac arrest.

In a number of US states, instead of the electric chair for death penalty an injection of a “horse dose” of a potassium drug is used, so it can be considered a recognized, albeit not very humane, drug for stopping a person’s heart. A potassium preparation is injected into the vein of the sentenced person in an amount much greater than lethal dose, as a result of which cardiac activity is gradually depressed until cardiac arrest occurs.

Muscle relaxants

Muscle relaxants are drugs that reduce muscle tone. They are used in medicine for general anesthesia. H-cholinergic receptors are blocked at the synapses, which is why the transmission of nerve impulses to the skeletal muscles, as well as to the myocardium, is blocked, which leads to cardiac arrest. In 90% of cases, an overdose of muscle relaxants ends in death due to cardiac arrest. Some people are allergic to such drugs, and when they are administered, they develop anaphylactic shock, resulting in cardiac arrest. In people suffering from cardiovascular diseases and respiratory pathologies, an overdose of muscle relaxants causes tachycardia, arterial hypertension, or, conversely, bradycardia, which can result in cardiac arrest.

Gastroenterological drugs

Some gastrointestinal medications used to treat heartburn can unexpectedly cause sudden cardiac arrest. If you overdo it with taking such medications, their side effects may appear: impaired heart contractions, neurological pathologies, convulsions, cardiac arrest. Some mothers use these drugs during lactation, which absolutely cannot be done - without knowing which drugs cause cardiac arrest, the mother can provoke it not only in herself, but also in the child.

Antibiotics

Taking antibiotics by people suffering from heart failure, angina, allergies and diabetes can lead to cardiac arrest. Elderly people are also at risk.

The most dangerous drugs for cardiac arrest are erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin and other drugs from the macrolide group.

As a result of studies, Scottish scientists have found that clarithromycin used for diseases of the lower respiratory tract increases the likelihood of complications on the cardiovascular system, although this antibiotic has a general effect. Moreover, the risk of such complications remains for a long time after finishing the course of antibiotics.

Vitamin complexes

Even vitamins that are designed to strengthen the general condition of the body can be dangerous if taken in excess. An excess of vitamins leads to systemic disorders in the body. For example, an excess of calcium has a detrimental effect on the activity of blood vessels and the heart.

Psychotropic drugs

When listing which drugs stop the heart, one cannot remain silent about psychotropic medications. The group of psychotropic substances includes substances used to treat brain problems; they are divided into antidepressants, tranquilizers and sedatives. They are used to treat, in particular, schizophrenia and epilepsy. Overdose similar drugs may well end in death from cardiac arrest. For example, tranquilizers, in addition to suppressing thought processes and emotions, sometimes provoke a sudden contraction of the facial muscles and myocardium. Tablets for schizophrenia can cause psychosis (akatasia), accompanied by arrhythmia and increased blood pressure. If such a patient has a cardiac pathology, then cardiac arrest is possible.

Sedatives

Sedatives or sleeping pills pose a threat only in case of overdose.

An overdose of antidepressants may cause seizures, fever, paralysis and cardiac arrest. Sometimes these drugs cause thoughts of suicide, so it is dangerous to take them uncontrollably, without consulting a specialist.

Other drugs

In addition to all of the above, cardiac drugs that cause cardiac arrest include anticholinergic, sympathomimetic, antihypertensive and antiarrhythmic drugs, as well as anesthesia drugs used in severe overdose can also lead to cardiac arrest. If the patient already has cardiac pathology, then the risk of such a development of events increases sharply.

Have you heard about drugs that can lead to cardiac arrest? Do you only buy medications prescribed by your doctor or do you self-medicate? Tell us about your experience in the comments.

When they talk about cardiac arrest, they mean clinical death. Within 5–6 minutes a person can still be resuscitated and saved, but at the 7th minute brain cells begin to die. There are many causes of death, which include drugs that cause cardiac arrest. We are talking about glycosides, antibiotics, vitamins, etc.

Cardiac glycosides and potassium

Those who are interested in which pills can cause the main “motor” of the body to stop should pay attention to cardiac glycosides. They force muscle fibers to contract several times stronger and have an effect on the human body similar to that which provokes the intake of caffeine, camphor or the release of adrenaline.

These drugs are based on the action of complex organic substances of plant origin. They are recommended for use by persons with acute or chronic forms of heart failure. The adenosine triphosphatase included in their composition improves the transport of calcium, potassium and sodium, as a result of which the metabolic processes of energy and electrolytes in the body are restored and the absorption of creatine phosphate is improved.

Digoxin is the most commonly prescribed cardiac glycoside

In most cases, death occurs as a result of an overdose of these drugs, but normal concentrations of these substances in the blood can be dangerous. At risk are individuals with renal failure, hypercalcemia, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, hypothyroidism, etc.

Potassium plays a huge role in the regulation of heart contractions, which is a direct participant in intracellular metabolic processes, water-electrolyte balance, etc. Both an excess of this mineral and its deficiency can lead to cardiac arrest. If 14 grams of potassium enters the bloodstream, it will no longer be possible to save a person.

Therefore, before using cardiac glycosides, it is imperative to consult a doctor, especially if you plan to take other medications in addition to them. At the first signs of tingling in the limbs, decreased blood pressure, weakness, or changes in heartbeat, call an ambulance and under no circumstances attempt to help yourself, because it is possible to cleanse the body of potassium only in a hospital setting.

Muscle relaxants and gastroenterology drugs

The former are designed to reduce muscle tone and are used in medicine for anesthesia. They block H-cholinergic receptors, as a result of which the transmission of nerve impulses to the skeletal muscles stops. Their contraction stops, just like the heart muscle. As a result of an overdose of muscle relaxants, death occurs in 90% of cases.

Centrally acting muscle relaxant Sirdalud Novartis

People with allergies to such medications develop even with a normal dosage, which also risks stopping the main “engine” of the body. At risk are persons with pathologies of the respiratory system and diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

Some medications used to treat digestive diseases may cause clinical death. These include medications to treat heartburn. By consuming them in large doses, you can provoke convulsions, nerve pathologies, negative changes in heart rate and, ultimately, stopping the main organ. If you take them during lactation, you can harm not only yourself, but also the baby.

Antibiotics and vitamins

Despite all the benefits of antibiotics in the treatment of bronchopulmonary, intestinal and other infections, these drugs can cause cardiac arrest, especially in people suffering from allergies, diabetes, etc. This is especially true for drugs from the macrolide group: azithromycin, erythromycin, clarithromycin, etc. .

Research conducted by Wayne Ray, a professor from the USA, confirmed that people with concomitant diseases such antibacterial therapy increased the likelihood of developing heart rhythm disturbances, heart failure and sudden stoppage of the main “motor” of the body.

A study led by a Scottish scientist found that a popular antibiotic, clarithromycin, increases the risk of heart complications in those with lung disease. It is worth noting that even after discontinuation of this drug, the risk side effects remains quite high.

As for vitamins, they can both prevent heart and vascular diseases and provoke their development. For example, vitamin K is necessary for the synthesis of prothrombin in the liver. Vikasol, a water-soluble drug based on it, is used to prevent bleeding before operations and childbirth, and increasing its dosage can lead to thrombosis. Excess calcium can disrupt heart rhythm and cardiac conduction, etc.

We're talking about tranquilizers. sedatives, antidepressants. They are used to treat many diseases nervous system and brain, and also as analgesics, antipyretics and anti-inflammatory drugs. All of them are capable of causing cardiac arrest when the dosage is increased.

Strong tranquilizers not only disrupt thinking and alter consciousness, but also cause uncontrollable sudden contraction of muscle tissue. At the same time, the face becomes like a terrible, terrible mask. And a condition such as akathisia causes agitation and psychosis with increased blood pressure and arrhythmia, which is also fraught with clinical death.

An overdose of antidepressants is fraught with seizures, fever, paralysis, heart failure, which ultimately leads to death. Some drugs from this group increase serotonergic activity in the central nervous system, which leads to the development of akathisia and, as a consequence, cardiac arrest.

About 10% of patients who take such antidepressants attempt suicide. Therefore, before taking any medications without a doctor’s prescription, you should think carefully and carefully study the instructions. For people at risk, such experiments with their health are doubly contraindicated, as they are fraught with the most dire consequences.

Etiological factors

age of men over 45 years, women over 55 years; premature menopause in women; hereditary predisposition; long-term nicotine intoxication; hypertonic disease; lipid metabolism disorder; diabetes; overweight; insufficient physical activity; decreased thyroid function.

Clinical manifestations

cupping pain syndrome(entered narcotic analgesics); carrying out thrombolytic and anticoagulant therapy (if the patient was hospitalized in the first 8 hours after the attack); the presence of nitrates in therapy is mandatory; use of beta blockers; antiplatelet therapy; when complications arise, therapy is carried out aimed at normalizing the patient’s condition (defibrillation, atropine and cardiac stimulation for conduction disturbances, arrhythmia therapy).

if a heart attack occurs, an ambulance should be called immediately; the person must be seated or placed with the head of the chair raised; remove all tight clothing to ensure free breathing; Take one aspirin tablet and place a nitroglycerin tablet under the tongue.

Heart attack

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to any part of the myocardium is blocked for an extended period of time, causing the heart muscle to suffer damage or die completely. In scientific terms, this condition is called myocardial infarction.

Etiological factors

It is known that the development of a heart attack is associated with destabilization of the atherosclerotic process. Therefore everything etiological factors atherosclerosis can also be considered as capable of triggering a heart attack.

Most often, the disease occurs as a result of thrombosis of the coronary vessels. This occurs in the area changed atherosclerotic plaque. Thrombosis is promoted by all factors that cause an increase in blood viscosity. These include: pathological change lining vascular wall, absence of endothelium of the coronary vessel, spasm of the lumen of the vessel, disruption of the physiological functions of platelets in the direction of activation of thrombus formation, release of biologically active substances that increase coagulation, cause vasospasm and increase blood viscosity. Less commonly, a heart attack occurs against the background of long-term spasm of the coronary arteries.

A fairly rare cause of a heart attack can be sharp increase the need of the heart muscle for oxygen in the absence of sufficient supply coronary vessels due to a pronounced atherosclerotic process.

Typically can cause a heart attack various factors risk:

• age of men over 45 years, women over 55 years;
• premature menopause in women;
• hereditary predisposition;
• long-term nicotine intoxication;
• hypertonic disease;
• lipid metabolism disorder;
• diabetes;
• overweight;
• insufficient physical activity;
• decreased thyroid function.

How more people has risk factors, the higher the risk of heart attack in at a young age.

The disease can also be iatrogenic. There are drugs and poisons that cause a heart attack.

Clinical manifestations

There are several periods in the development of a heart attack: acute, acute and subacute.

The most acute period lasts about 3 hours. A characteristic symptom of a heart attack is the presence of pain in the patient. The intensity of the pain syndrome is variable, but most often it is severe pain in the heart area, which has wide use. If the pathological process involves back wall heart, then the pain can be localized in epigastric region. Taking nitroglycerin does not have any effect, and the pain itself lasts more than 30 minutes.

In a small percentage of cases, a heart attack is painless. Other symptoms include: sudden weakness, syncope (fainting), cardiac arrhythmia (even ventricular fibrillation is possible). If the lesion affects a large area, it may develop cardiogenic shock or pulmonary edema.

The acute period lasts up to 10 days. At this time, a scar on the heart muscle begins to form. Pain syndrome is usually absent. The characteristic symptoms include the following: fever (caused by the resorption of necrotic masses), various kinds arrhythmias, pericarditis or endocarditis may form. The most common cause of death during this period is cardiac rupture.

The subacute period lasts up to 4-8 weeks. At this time, the patient feels satisfactory. The risk of complications is reduced.

The symptoms of a heart attack in women and the signs of a heart attack in men are not significantly different.

Principles of diagnosis and treatment

A heart attack is characterized by changes in laboratory parameters due to the presence inflammatory process and getting into the blood various proteins from the focus of necrosis.

It is important to perform an electrocardiogram. This allows not only to confirm the very fact of the presence of the disease, but also to determine its location and prevalence. pathological process.

A heart attack is characterized by a high risk of complications, some of which are incompatible with life. If the pathological process is non-penetrating, then the course of the disease is most often favorable.

The prognosis remains serious to this day. A repeat heart attack is especially dangerous. Patients die from the development of complications such as arrhythmia, cardiogenic shock, myocardial rupture, and chronic heart failure.

Therapy is aimed at maintaining maximum quantity viable cardiac muscle, prevention and treatment of complications. If the disease is suspected, hospitalization in the intensive care unit is indicated, where care will be provided for a heart attack.

• relief of pain (narcotic analgesics are administered);
• carrying out thrombolytic and anticoagulant therapy (if the patient was hospitalized in the first 8 hours after the attack);
• the presence of nitrates in therapy is mandatory;
• use of beta blockers;
• antiplatelet therapy;
• when complications arise, therapy is carried out aimed at normalizing the patient’s condition (defibrillation, atropine and cardiac stimulation for conduction disturbances, arrhythmia therapy).

Dosed physical activity is prescribed already on the second day of hospitalization, provided there is no pain or complications. In hospitals, 3-4 week rehabilitation of such patients is practiced.

A little about first aid for a heart attack:

• if a heart attack occurs, an ambulance should be called immediately;
• the person must be seated or placed with the head of the chair raised;
• remove all tight clothing to ensure free breathing;
• Take one aspirin tablet and place a nitroglycerin tablet under the tongue.

The faster the ambulance arrives and the sooner first aid is provided for the symptoms of a heart attack, the more favorable the prognosis for the patient.

Video on how to provide first aid for a heart attack:

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Scientists: Strong emotions can cause a heart attack

When a person has suffered emotional pain due to separation from a loved one or his death, then there is such an expression as “suffers from broken heart».

But today, for everyone, this expression was a metaphor to describe the feelings and stress that a person experienced. But now in medical practice such a concept as “broken heart syndrome” is actually diagnosed. Only in this case is it considered here physiological state, called stress-induced cardiomyopathy.

Where did this name come from? The research was carried out by Dr. medical sciences– Imran Arif. Thanks to ongoing research, it has been discovered that a common cause of heart attack is tragedy in life.

Stress-induced cardiomyopathy refers to a pathological process that leads to a temporary disruption of the performance of the human motor. Symptoms of this disease include pain in the chest area, which feels like a heart attack.

Stress and depression can provoke such a pathology. In the event of an emotional outburst or bad news, a person’s heart may stop. According to Dr. Arifa, broken heart syndrome can trigger a motor muscle response to a surge in stress hormones.

Based on research conducted by doctors at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center with assistance from Harvard School public health, located in Boston, the heart attack is diagnosed the day after the patient loses a loved one.

During this period, there is a sharp jump in blood pressure. In this case, a surge may occur even in those patients who have not previously experienced special problems with heart. The data obtained during the study were subsequently published in the journal Circulation.

Scientists do not say that a stressful situation will 100% cause a heart attack. As a rule, during this period a person should feel symptoms such as discomfort in the sternum, nausea, shortness of breath, cold sweat, pain in the stomach, and dizziness.

If you find yourself with such symptoms, you need to immediately contact an ambulance. Moreover, in this case, it does not matter at all what reasons contributed to the development of the pathological process; it is important to prevent cardiac arrest in time.

What drugs can cause cardiac arrest?

Every person should know that there are medications that cause cardiac arrest. In this regard, experts do not advise self-medication. It is necessary to take medications only after the approval of the attending physician. After all, even a simple analgesic taken to eliminate a headache can cause coma with subsequent cessation of cardiac activity if there was alcohol in the person’s blood.

Medicines that can cause cardiac arrest

Many patients do not even have an idea what drug causes cardiac arrest, neglect the doctor’s recommendations, and do not visit medical institution and ignore assignments. They purchase in pharmacy kiosk a popular remedy with a well-advertised name and hope to get a positive result. At the same time, they completely ignore that wrong technique medication can cause fatal consequences. Here is a list of which pills cause cardiac arrest:

• Muscle relaxants - reduce the tone of skeletal muscles, thereby reducing motor activity.
• Cardiac glycosides have cardiotonic and antiarrhythmic effects.
• Medicines containing potassium.
• Antibacterial drugs have a suppressive effect on bacteria, affecting their vital processes.
• Heartburn pills.
• Vitamin complexes.
• Psychotropic drugs - affect the central nervous system and change the mental state.

Using drugs that are incompatible with each other or taking them while there is alcohol in the body can trigger irreversible processes. TO dangerous complications also lead to overdose, abuse and individual intolerance one of the components of the medicine.

Cardiac glycosides and drugs containing potassium

It is worth noting that cardiac glycosides force muscle tissue the heart contracts much more strongly. This effect is similar to the release of adrenaline, taking caffeine-containing drinks or camphor. Such drugs are prescribed to patients who suffer from heart failure. Due to the presence of adenosine triphosphatase in their composition, the process of saturating the body with calcium, sodium, and potassium significantly improves. Thanks to this, high-quality absorption of creatine phosphate occurs and water-salt metabolism is restored.

Instant death when taking these drugs occurs due to an overdose. But they can be dangerous even at normal concentrations in the blood. They should be taken with extreme caution in patients diagnosed with renal failure, hypokalemia, hypercalcemia and hypomagnesemia.

Potassium is important in the mechanism of heart contractions. This microelement takes part in cellular metabolic processes and ensures water-salt balance. The heart can temporarily or completely stop either due to an excess of calcium or due to its deficiency.

Muscle relaxants and gastroenterological drugs

Major operations cannot be performed without general anesthesia. For this purpose, muscle relaxants can be used to reduce muscle tone. If a patient has an individual intolerance to one of the substances of the drug, he must provide this information to the anesthesiologist. Even a small dose of an administered muscle relaxant can cause anaphylaxis and instant cardiac arrest (ventricular asystole). According to statistics, about 12% of patients survive.

Drugs of this type cannot be used if there is following problems with health:

• diseases of the respiratory system;
• heart pathologies;
• vascular defects.

Against the background of these problems and taking muscle relaxants, a person suddenly feels worse and has an increased heart rate. This may ultimately result in cardiac arrest.

Antibiotics and vitamins

Drugs of this type cause immediate cardiac arrest in those who suffer from allergies.

The risk group is represented by people who have diabetes, heart failure or angina pectoris.

Antibacterial drugs are used to treat infectious diseases. They are prescribed for pneumonia and bacterial bronchitis. But along with the therapeutic effect, they can cause serious harm to the body. Their powerful action primarily affects the heart muscle. This increases the risk of heart failure and heart rhythm disorders. Stopping the work of the main organ of the circulatory system is also possible. As a rule, such consequences are inherent in drugs from the macrolide group.

As for vitamins, their intake also requires supervision by a doctor. Otherwise, health problems cannot be avoided. For example, uncontrolled use vitamin complex"Vikasol" (vitamin K, which prevents internal bleeding) can provoke vascular thrombosis. But an excess amount of calcium in the body negatively affects the conduction system of the heart, which loses the ability to fully perform its basic functions. You should not get carried away with vitamins if you have mitral valve prolapse, because this can also cause cardiac arrest.

Psychotropic drugs

This drug group includes tranquilizers, antidepressants and sedatives. They are used to treat nervous system disorders. They are indicated for use by epileptics and patients with schizophrenia.

Tranquilizers suppress emotions and reduce thinking abilities. At the same time, they cause contraction of the muscles of the face and heart. Tablets prescribed for the treatment of schizophrenia initiate psychosis, which may be accompanied by an increase in blood pressure and the appearance of arrhythmia. In the presence of cardiac pathologies, this can cause cardiac arrest.

It can also be caused by exceeding the recommended dosage of the drug.

In case of an overdose of antidepressants, the following symptoms are observed:

• chills;
• seizures;
• paralysis of the body;
• immediate cessation of heart function.

Some medications can lead to suicidal thoughts. That is why you should take any medications only after consulting a doctor.

Causes of death from medications

Death occurs in 2% of cases due to medication use. To prevent such an outcome, you must adhere to the instructions and prescriptions of a specialist. It is worth understanding that an overdose or a combination different medications may lead to dangerous consequences.

Overdose

Overdose symptoms vary. As a rule, they manifest themselves in the form of attacks of nausea, dizziness, and convulsions. More serious conditions are accompanied by depression and stopping respiratory function, hallucinations, visual disturbances, cessation of heart function.

To neutralize the effect of a drug that causes cardiac arrest, you should try to induce vomiting, but only if the drug was taken in tablet form. After this, you need to call an ambulance or take the patient to the toxicology department yourself. It is advisable to have the packaging of the medication you took with you.

Use by children

A particularly dangerous situation in terms of overdose in children. The following symptoms will help to suspect the approach of cardiac arrest and promptly respond to it:

• loss of consciousness;
• bluish or pale skin;
• rare breathing;
• lack of pulse;
• dilated pupils that do not respond to light.

Absence resuscitation measures leads to hypoxic changes in tissues and organs, followed by so-called biological death.

To help your child at home, you need to act quickly (about 5 minutes to spare). First of all, you need to lay him on the table, undress him, remove him from your mouth foreign objects. After this, the pads of the fingers apply pressure to the lower part of the sternum with a frequency of 120 shocks per minute. These manipulations are recommended to be carried out carefully, but intensively. After 15 compressions have been done, artificial respiration begins, 2 breaths into the mouth, and then into the nose. In parallel with resuscitation, an ambulance team is called.

Worsening of existing pathologies

It is highly undesirable to take any medications without your doctor's approval, especially if you have serious problems with health. Pills that cause cardiac arrest act very quickly. It is easiest to harm yourself, but not everyone succeeds in restoring the functioning of the body. Therefore, you need to take your health as responsibly as possible. Optimal drug therapy should be selected only after conducting a series of studies.

Competent first aid in case of cardiac arrest

The algorithm of actions at home in case of respiratory and cardiac arrest is as follows:

• reaction check;
• heart massage;
• clearing the airways;
• performing artificial respiration.

After calling an ambulance, specialists will carry out fibrillation and other necessary actions.

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How to trigger a heart attack?

How to trigger a heart attack?

“To be honest, it’s hard for me to imagine why a person would want to provoke a heart attack. After all, even the mildest attack, such as this, can end very tragically, let alone more complex options. Therefore, provoking a heart attack in yourself is some kind of sophisticated form of suicide. Well, even more so if you need to provoke such an attack in someone else. This is already an outright crime. And what’s more, talking about it would be simply inhumane.

If, by the word provoke, you mean simulating a heart attack, then there are many options. But, in the end, everything depends on how experienced a person is in these matters. For a beginner, it’s enough if you grab your heart and complain of a cutting or dull pain in this area. And a qualified nurse is difficult to mislead, even with a well-rehearsed simulation.

Thus, it is much easier to simulate something else. Although, if you are sure that people have little experience in this area, try it. Paleness, heavy breathing, heart complaints, convulsive twitching - all these could be symptoms of a heart attack.

Well, as for organizing a real attack, excuse me, I’m not handing out recipes for murder. Conscience, you know, doesn't allow it.

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How to trigger a heart attack

Heart attack is one of the common causes of sudden death. No one is safe from it. Especially those people who have crossed a certain age limit. But, unfortunately, heart attacks are increasingly observed at a fairly young age. However, the symptoms of a heart attack in women are somewhat different from the signs of pathology in men. They are more blurred and not expressed. And this leads to the fact that mortality rates in women from heart attacks are steadily increasing.

How to correctly recognize the first signs and symptoms of a heart attack? And what to do in this situation? How to help yourself or a loved one?

What is a heart attack

The pathology often leads to death. But doctors say that if first aid is provided in a timely manner and a team of doctors is called, then the patient can be saved. Most often, death is likely if urgent curative measures failed to take action. In this case, death occurs as a result of extensive damage to the heart and complications that arise.

What happens in the body with this pathology? Symptoms of a heart attack in women appear when one of the arteries supplying the myocardium ceases to function fully. It does not deliver the full amount of blood to main body. This leads to damage to part of the heart muscle. Tissues begin to die. The patient is in dire need of qualified assistance. Otherwise, it will be fatal.

What can cause a heart attack? Symptoms in women occur due to impaired vascular blood flow. Pathology can manifest itself as a result of a sudden spasm. Often an attack is triggered by an unexpected blockage of a vessel with cholesterol or a blood clot. Regardless of the factor that caused the pathology, the reason for the death of cardiac tissue is the same - lack of oxygen.

Factors leading to heart attack

There are many reasons that can trigger a heart attack. Symptoms in women are in most cases similar, regardless of the source of the pathology.

The main provoking factors include:

• age (after 55 years a woman enters the risk zone);
• hereditary factor;
• undergone surgery to remove the ovaries;
• period after menopause.

Additional sources of pathology

However, there are other causes that provoke a heart attack that can be eliminated or their negative impact on the body can be negated.

These factors are:

1. Smoking, alcohol addiction, drug addiction. These factors come first. Smokers are almost always diagnosed with heart disease. Alcohol intoxication worsens the situation several times. Often acute attack occurs in a state of deep hangover.
2. Reception birth control pills. Sometimes this factor leads to the appearance of pathology in women who have not even reached 40 years of age.
3. High cholesterol content. Vessels clogged with plaques experience serious overload. Of course, the heart does not receive enough blood. He has to function in an enhanced mode.
4. Obesity. Organs swollen with fat do not allow the myocardium to work at full capacity. This is a fairly common cause leading to cardiac disorders.
5. Inactivity. As a rule, this factor is combined with obesity or overweight.
6. Hypertension. High blood pressure overloads the heart muscle and blood vessels.
7. Diabetes. This is a pathology that provokes many various violations in organism. The cardiovascular system also suffers from the disease.
8. Inflammatory processes in blood vessels. They provoke rupture of the coronary artery. Inflammation causes an increase in reactive protein in the body. This picture is most often observed in women. Doctors are not yet ready to say what causes the increase in protein.
9. Hypothyroidism. The disease often becomes a source of heart disease. It can trigger an attack.
10. Chronic stress. This condition is the cause of the development of most diseases in the body. And first of all, stress negatively affects the functioning of the heart.

Classic signs

Let's look at what are the most common symptoms of a heart attack?

The pathology is characterized by the following main features:

1. Pain appears in the chest area. This is the most characteristic symptom of an impending heart attack. But pain doesn't always happen. Some people feel discomfort, tightness, and a certain pressure in the chest. In this case, pain is completely absent. Patients claim that it becomes difficult for them to breathe, and there is a feeling “as if someone had stepped on their chest.” Very often people believe that a heart attack only causes pain in the chest and unpleasant discomfort in the left hand. You should know that negative sensations can appear in any other parts of the body: in the shoulders, throat, upper abdomen, jaws, teeth, back.
2. Heavy sweating, perspiration. Pay attention when this symptom appears. Particularly alarming is increased sweating in a person who is in cool room, and not in the heat. Perspiration that appears in the absence of physical activity may indicate problems. Heavy sweating is caused by clogged arteries. The heart needs to work harder to pump enough blood. To save normal temperature With additional stress, the body produces a large amount of sweat. If you encounter such a problem, be sure to consult your doctor.
3. Dyspnea. If such attacks occur after a slight exercise (climbing a couple of floors, walking), you should consult a doctor. Very often, shortness of breath is a symptom of heart disease. Especially if it is accompanied by severe fatigue and chest pain. Women are more likely to experience similar symptoms. It is shortness of breath and fatigue that usually warns of an upcoming heart attack.

Additional symptoms

In a classic attack, the following often occur:

1. Problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Very often, before an attack, disorders appear in the digestive tract. Indigestion, heartburn, and nausea may occur. These symptoms are often combined with dizziness. However, do not forget that such symptoms can be inherent in a number of pathologies.
2. Numbness in fingers. Can only cover brushes. But sometimes the numbness spreads to the shoulders and forearms.
3. Impaired speech. A completely sober person begins to get tongue-tied. Speech becomes slurred and incomprehensible.
4. Impaired motor coordination. The person loses control over the body. Most often this affects the neck, shoulders, and arms. This state is very similar to alcohol intoxication. Especially if it is combined with slurred speech. That is why others do not always rush to help a person in such a state. This is very dangerous, because precious minutes are lost.

If you promptly pay attention to the main symptoms of a heart attack listed above, you can save a person’s life. Therefore, do not pass by a person who needs your help.

Features of attacks in women

Most often, people imagine a heart attack as a sudden, pronounced attack. If pathology concerns representatives of the fair half of humanity, then the situation is somewhat different. Symptoms of a heart attack in women are rarely pronounced. Most patients tolerate them without attaching any importance to them.

This is dictated by the fact that the signs of the disease are blurred in most cases. Therefore, women do not notice them and do not take them seriously. In addition, the symptoms are somewhat different from the signs that characterize an attack in men.

Alarm Signals

Please note what are the first symptoms of a heart attack in women:

1. Severe fatigue, almost unsettling.
2. Disturbed sleep, insomnia. This condition can occur even after severe fatigue. These symptoms appear about a month before the attack.
3. Increased anxiety, nervousness, feeling of stress.
4. Indigestion, nausea with normal diet.
5. Weakness, clammy, sweaty skin.
6. Difficulty breathing during normal exercise or climbing stairs.
7. The appearance of pain in the neck, face, jaw, ears. Discomfort may spread to the arms and shoulders. It resembles a condition when muscle tissue is stretched.

How to help yourself?

If you observe the signs of a heart attack in women described above, do not wait for the condition to worsen. The most the right decision– consult a doctor and get qualified help.

Remember that you need to report all symptoms that appear to your doctor. In addition, it is important to name factors that can aggravate the condition (genetic predisposition, smoking, hypertension).

If you have a seizure

What to do if you are caught by surprise by a heart attack? Symptoms and first aid are points that every person should know well. After all, minutes count.

First aid consists of the following measures:

1. Call an ambulance immediately. Even if you don’t know how to help yourself, the dispatcher will explain to you what to do before the doctors arrive.
2. Contact your family who can come to you immediately if the attack begins while you are alone.
3. Take an aspirin tablet (325 mg). The pill should be chewed so that it has an effect faster.
4. Take a nitroglycerin tablet. If no positive effect is observed, you can use the medicine again. The third pill is allowed to be taken only if the pain does not subside within 10 minutes after taking the second pill.
5. Try to remain calm. Panic and fear, characteristic of an attack, complicate the condition. Remember that help is on the way to you. You can focus on counting your heartbeat. It's calming.
6. Remain in a supine position, on your back. In this case, it is advisable to raise your legs higher by placing a pillow or other object under them. This will allow the diaphragm to open, and oxygen will flow better into the blood.
7. Take deep breaths and even exhalations.
8. If possible, it is recommended to open a window to provide fresh air.

What not to do

If symptoms of a heart attack are observed in women, it is not enough to know how to act in such a situation. It should be remembered that it is strictly contraindicated:

• stand up or move around;
• smoke;
• drive;
• use aspirin if there is intolerance to the drug or an exacerbation of gastritis or ulcers is diagnosed;
• take nitroglycerin if low pressure, severe headaches, with speech, coordination, and vision disorders;
• consume drinks or food.

Help a loved one

What should you do if you see something wrong with a person and you suspect he is having a heart attack?

Symptoms in women and treatment are often taken lightly by such individuals. Therefore, be prepared for the fact that they will begin to refuse to call the doctor and protest against the need to take a horizontal position.

Your actions should be as quick and clear as possible:

1. Call an ambulance.
2. Lay the patient on a horizontal surface, placing any object under his feet. Make sure that the patient does not get up.
3. Unfasten your collar and belt.
4. Provide fresh air by opening a window. Turn on the fan.
5. Try to calm and encourage the victim.

Be sure to complete all the activities described above. And remember that your actions determine future life this man.

What is a heart attack?

Heart attack - serious condition, arising as a result of a problem with blood supply after obstruction of one of the cardiac arteries.

The consequences of this pathology are usually irreversible, which is why it is important to be able to distinguish this most dangerous condition in the first stages of its manifestation.

What can cause a heart attack?

As a rule, people who have any abnormalities in the cardiovascular system, congenital pathologies, or have suffered complications after surgical interventions in this area are susceptible to heart attacks.

A special risk group is the elderly.

Due to natural age-related changes in the direction of aging, they are more likely to suffer heart attacks (men, according to statistics, suffer heart attacks more often than women).

Other reasons that can trigger the onset pathological condition: atherosclerosis, angina pectoris, abuse of anabolic steroids (a very common cause in athletes involved in building muscle mass), diabetes.

A sedentary, sedentary lifestyle, especially when poor nutrition- also increases the risk of having a heart attack. The territorial location of a person’s place of residence significantly influences the possibility of heart failure.

A hot, dry climate and dry periods have a detrimental effect on people’s blood pressure and cardiovascular system.

This is especially true for people of retirement age. They are recommended, if possible, to move to more favorable areas for living.

Separately, it is worth highlighting “voluntary” ways to get a heart attack. These include extremely common bad habits in our time: drug addiction, alcohol addiction, smoking.

In smokers, heart abnormalities and attacks occur almost constantly. Alcohol abusers risk worsening existing heart problems due to the harmful effects of alcohol poisons on the body.

Attacks after heavy drinking, especially in the heat, are common. Once taken, narcotic substances have a depressing effect on the center responsible for the functioning of the heart and blood vessels.

The pulse slows down and blood pressure decreases. As a result, severe oxygen starvation occurs and the heart muscle stops working properly.

Another group of drugs, on the contrary, raises blood pressure.

What are the symptoms of a heart attack and how to recognize it?

In order to immediately take measures to save the life and health of the victim, it is important to be able to distinguish the signs of a heart attack from other abnormalities with similar symptoms.

It is noteworthy that heart symptoms differ between men and women.

The main reason to identify an attack and urgently call an ambulance is acute pain in the chest area. Drugs (nitroglycerin) do not relieve it.

A person is unable to carry out the respiratory process normally due to severe pain. The victim begins to experience oxygen starvation with signs of suffocation.

The danger is not pronounced symptoms, such as shortness of breath. It can occur in a person either at rest or after any physical activity. They may not pay attention to her, citing fatigue, overwork, or “age.”

They confuse her with medications and forget about her. You can't do that. Any breathing problems, pain in the chest area, burning sensations and other unusual phenomena should be the basis for a visit to a doctor and an examination of your body.

In addition to the bright, alarming symptoms mentioned above, there are others that are difficult to associate at first glance with “heart symptoms”.

Vomiting and nausea begin. After vomiting, the patient does not experience the usual relief in this case. On the contrary, the condition is only getting worse. Violations brain activity(dizziness, panic attacks, fainting) are frequent accompaniments of an impending heart attack.

It is worth paying attention to such seemingly harmless conditions as suddenly appearing night snoring And excessive sweating limbs.

Symptoms of a heart attack in women

Certain symptoms of heart failure in women are often less pronounced than in men. This leads to a higher mortality rate from this disease in women than in men.

What do the first symptoms of impending trouble look like for women? What will be the differences from male manifestations? How to protect yourself, mother, grandmother?

For women, the main risk factors will be:

1. age over 55 years;
2. bad heredity in a person;
3. consequences of difficult menopause;
4. surgical interventions to remove internal reproductive organs;
5. severe hypertension.

Long-term use of hormonal contraceptives can cause failure and harm the heart. Women under 40 are at risk.

Other reasons for the development of pathology: poor, monotonous diet, lack of heart-healthy foods.

A large amount of fatty foods containing cholesterol leads to blockage of blood vessels and the heart cannot be fully supplied with blood. Excess fat on internal organs does not allow the heart to function normally and causes wear and overload.

Heart pathologies can also begin with prolonged depression and stress, which are common in the modern world.

What should you be wary of first?

TO alarms, which the female body gives include: severe weakness, fatigue, literally knocking you down. Then insomnia or nighttime panic attacks predict a heart attack about a month before it occurs.

Another sure sign: when moving upward or lifting something, even with a small weight, shortness of breath and breathing problems begin. There is a reason to seek help if pain begins in the face and neck, left shoulder and arm.

Symptoms of heart attack in men

Diseases associated with cardiovascular system It is men who claim the lives most often.

Who needs to be extremely careful?

Firstly, for people over 50 years old, and secondly, for those with bad habits (smoking, alcoholism, drug addiction).

Men employed in jobs with a large number of people are also susceptible to heart attacks. stressful situations, in positions with a high mental level. Teachers, professors, theater actors, doctors are always under threat.

Men should always undergo routine medical examinations (especially those suffering from high blood pressure or diabetes) and take care of their nerves.

What do the symptoms of a heart attack look like in men?

When an unexpected acute pain in the chest, problems with breathing air, you need to urgently call an ambulance. Sudden nausea, icy sweat and pain in the left arm should also alert you.

Long-term symptoms include prolonged weakness, fatigue and insomnia.

First aid will consist of calling doctors, and the dispatcher on the phone will tell you what you can take.

Heart attacks often occur without warning symptoms, and although it has long been documented that the cause is most often atherosclerosis (a buildup of cholesterol in the arteries), there are a number of factors that contribute to it in people at risk.

Not long ago, scientists from Belgium published research results in The Lancet that identified a number of risk factors. These factors are especially dangerous for people with cardiovascular disease:

City dwellers, beware: Traffic is a risk factor in 8 percent of heart attacks among those who are particularly vulnerable, researchers say. This especially applies to drivers, passengers and even those who move around the city by bicycle. Other studies that have found a link between traffic and heart attacks were inconclusive because it was not entirely clear whether air pollution, the stress of driving in heavy traffic, or a combination of both factors actually caused the problem. .

In any case, being stuck in traffic jams is unfavorable for any person. If you have the opportunity to work from home, take advantage of it. Those who work from home are healthier, past studies have shown, even if they work longer. You can organize yourself better at home workplace, rest more often, take breaks and experience less stress.

Exercise causes heart attacks in 6 percent of cases. However, here we're talking about not about the healthy physical activity that a person can get by playing sports. Researchers have found that people who lead a sedentary lifestyle almost constantly, and then suddenly begin to overload themselves and perform very difficult tasks. physical exercise, are in a most dangerous situation.

The best protection is to exercise for 150 minutes throughout the week - that is, no more than 30 minutes daily. But if you move very little and suddenly decide to clear meter-long snowdrifts near your house, you need to warm up properly before doing this and not start physically working early in the morning. Serious physical activity in the morning is stressful for your body, and your heart may not be able to withstand it.

Drinks you drink to cheer you up or calm your nerves may cause heart attacks in 5 percent of cases. Excessive use Alcohol may contribute to the problems, but doctors are not sure exactly how alcohol causes heart attacks. Several theories suggest that alcohol can increase inflammation and prevent the body from dissolving blood clots in the blood vessels.

It should be remembered that 1 glass of wine or an equivalent portion of other mild alcohol per day can, on the contrary, prevent heart problems thanks to the beneficial polyphenols found in wine and beer.

Coffee, on the other hand, works just the opposite. Most studies that have examined the link between coffee and heart attacks have found that people who drink coffee less often suffer more heart attacks than those who drink a lot of coffee.

Smog, exhaust fumes, as well as many dust particles emitted by transport are all quite serious, but invisible health pests. About 4.75 percent of heart attacks among vulnerable people are caused by dirty air. The study authors say that although this is the lowest percentage in this case, it is nevertheless one of the most serious risk factors because no one can be protected from dirty air while living in a city.

It is for this reason that experts who deal with environmental problems in cardiology say that since it is almost impossible to protect yourself from dirty air, you should pay attention to Special attention other risk factors that can be managed. For example, you need to reduce stress, treat migraines if they occur, eat less red meat and salt, and follow the Mediterranean diet.

5. Good and bad moods

Strong emotions seem to contribute to heart disease, even if they are positive. Anger and negative emotions are, of course, riskier—about 7 percent of heart attacks are associated with them. Positive emotions are to blame for heart problems in 2.5 percent of cases. "Any strong emotions can cause stress," says Dr. Jeffrey Rossman.

All strong emotions increase adrenaline, heart rate and red blood cell viscosity, which together can lead to a heart attack. It is for this reason that you should avoid negative emotions and experience more positive ones.” Positive emotions generally produce a more balanced heart rate compared to negative ones. Heart rhythm disturbances lead to heart attacks,” says Rossman.

Moreover, he added that because we try to resist negative emotions, it gives more muscle tension than with positive emotions, including tension in the muscles around the blood vessels. Due to the fact that the blood vessels are constricted by the muscles, when negative emotions more likely to have a stroke than with positive emotions.

Among heart attacks, 2.2 percent were related to sex. Any activity in horizontal position may strengthen blood pressure and palpitations, which in turn can lead to problems with the heart and blood vessels. Various studies, who studied the connection between sex and heart attacks, showed that the risk is relatively small for healthy people, about 1 chance in a million. But if a person is already at risk for a heart attack, they should be careful. The good news is that regular exercise significantly reduces the risk of heart problems during and after sex, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association .

What do doctors call this pathology?

During a heart attack, one of the arteries supplying the heart stops supplying enough blood to the part of the heart muscle it serves. This leads to damage to a local area of ​​cardiac muscle tissue.

If treatment is not started immediately, the person may die; Almost half of sudden heart attack deaths occur before the patient reaches the hospital. Death usually occurs from extensive tissue damage or complications. The prognosis improves if action is taken promptly.

What causes an attack?

Most often, the cause lies in arteriosclerosis (hardening of the coronary arteries), when the flow of blood to the heart muscle decreases.

High blood pressure;

Obesity or a diet high in saturated fat, carbohydrates and salt;

Passive lifestyle;

Drug use, especially cocaine;

Type A constitution.

Resuming sex life after a heart attack

After returning from the hospital, you should gradually recover physical activity. Most heart attack survivors can resume sexual activity after 3-4 weeks.

Sex is moderate physical activity, comparable in energy consumption to fast walking, but in a state of emotional distress it can put additional stress on the heart.

What should be the environment during sex?

The environment should be familiar and calm, otherwise stress may occur. Pay attention to the temperature in the room - too high or too low puts additional stress on the heart.

When to have sex?

Have sex when you are rested and relaxed. Best time for this purpose - in the morning, after a good night's sleep.

When should you abstain from sex?

If you are tired or anxious, or after a large dose of alcohol, abstain from sex. Alcohol dilates blood vessels and the heart has to work harder. You should not have sex after a heavy meal.

Choose a comfortable position

Try to take a position in which you can breathe freely and feel comfortable.

Don't be afraid to experiment. Let your partner take the dominant role.

Talk to your doctor about taking nitroglycerin before having sex to prevent angina during or after sex.

Don't forget that increased heart rate and breathing are quite normal during sex. But they should return to normal after 15 minutes. Contact your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms after having sex:

Profuse sweating or rapid heartbeat lasting more than 15 minutes;

Shortness of breath or rapid pulse observed for more than 15 minutes;

Chest pain that does not improve after taking two or three nitroglycerin tablets (taken at intervals of 5 minutes) or at rest;

Drowsiness after sex or feeling very tired the next day.

Men are more likely to have heart attacks than women, but there is a trend toward more women suffering from heart attacks; among them there are especially many smokers and users oral contraceptives(See RESUMPTION OF SEXUAL LIFE AFTER A HEART ATTACK and THE ROAD TO RECOVERY).

The road to recovery

Simply walking in a pattern can help you strengthen your heart and speed up your recovery after a heart attack. Be sure to warm up (warm up) before walking and gradually cool down (cool down) after walking.

Stretch your muscles, do stretching exercises, for example for your calves and shoulder muscles. To stretch calf muscles, place both palms against the wall at approximately shoulder height. Step one foot toward the wall and lean toward it, keeping your palms flat on the wall and your feet flat on the floor. Push up against the wall until you feel tension in your legs.

To stretch your shoulder girdle, clasp your arms above your head and pull your shoulders back.

Week Warm-up Exercise Gradual transition to rest Total, min

1 Warm-up 2 minutes Walking at a slow pace 3 minutes Brisk walking 5 minutes Walking at a slow pace 3 minutes Stretching muscles 2 minutes 15

2 Warm-up 2 minutes Walking at a slow pace 3 minutes Brisk walking 7 minutes Walking at a slow pace 3 minutes Stretching muscles 2 minutes 17

3 Warm-up 2 minutes Walking at a slow pace 3 minutes Brisk walking 9 minutes Walking at a slow pace 3 minutes Stretching muscles 2 minutes 19

4 Warm-up 2 minutes Walking at a slow pace 3 minutes Brisk walking 11 minutes Walking at a slow pace 3 minutes Stretching muscles 2 minutes 21

5 Warm-up 2 minutes Walking at a slow pace 3 minutes Brisk walking 13 minutes Walking at a slow pace 3 minutes Stretching muscles 2 minutes 23

6 Warm-up 2 minutes Walking at a slow pace 3 minutes Brisk walking 15 minutes Walking at a slow pace 3 minutes Stretching muscles 2 minutes 25

7 Warm-up 2 minutes Walking at a slow pace 3 minutes Brisk walking 18 minutes Walking at a slow pace 3 minutes Stretching muscles 2 minutes 28

8 Warm-up 2 minutes Walking at a slow pace 5 minutes Brisk walking 20 minutes Walking at a slow pace 5 minutes Stretching muscles 2 minutes 34

9 Warm-up 2 minutes Walking at a slow pace 5 minutes Brisk walking 23 minutes Walking at a slow pace 5 minutes Stretching muscles 2 minutes 37

10 Warm-up 2 min Walking at a slow pace 5 min Brisk walking 26 min Walking at a slow pace 5 min Stretching muscles 2 min 40

11 Warm-up 2 minutes Walking at a slow pace 5 minutes Brisk walking 28 minutes Walking at a slow pace 5 minutes Stretching muscles 2 minutes 42

12 Warm-up 2 minutes Walking at a slow pace 5 minutes Brisk walking 30 minutes Walking at a slow pace 5 minutes Stretching muscles 2 minutes 44

What are the signs that indicate an approaching heart attack?

The main symptom is persistent, prolonged (12 hours or more) pressing pain in the chest, which may radiate to the left arm, jaw, neck or shoulder blades. Typically, the patient describes the pain as intense, squeezing or pressing. But for some, particularly older people and those with diabetes, there may be no pain. In some cases, the pain may be mild; patients or their doctors mistake them for stomach problems. In people with hardening of the arteries, a signal of an approaching heart attack is the frequency and intensification of chest pain, increasing its duration, especially if the pain appears after exertion, eating a large meal, or being in the cold or wind.

Before a heart attack, some people experience fear of death, feeling tired, vomiting, shortness of breath, cold hands and feet, sweating, anxiety, and restlessness. Finally, there are cases where there are no symptoms at all.

The most common complications after a heart attack are recurrent or persistent chest pain; failure of the main chamber of the heart (left ventricle), leading to heart failure and accumulation of large amounts of fluid in the lungs, deterioration of the pumping function of the heart, and cardiogenic shock.

Shortly after a heart attack, some patients develop serious complications such as a blood clot in a vein, dysfunction heart valve, gap interventricular septum and rupture of the heart muscle, which can lead to death.

Even several months after a heart attack, it is possible to develop Dressler's syndrome (inflammation of the pericardial sac), in which the patient suffers from chest pain, fever, and in some cases the condition is complicated by pneumonia.

How is the diagnosis made?

Doctors diagnose a heart attack by persistent chest pain, abnormal heart sounds, electrocardiogram findings, and blood tests showing elevated cardiac enzymes for more than 72 hours.

MORE ABOUT THE DISEASE

What you need to know about heart rhythm disturbances

Heart rhythm disturbances (cardiac arrhythmias) can manifest themselves in different ways: heartbeats that are too fast or too infrequent, irregular (at irregular intervals) heartbeats, or both. The reasons for disruption of the normal production of cardiac excitation impulses are also different.

The heart muscle has conductive fibers that ensure the rapid movement of impulses along muscle cells. When the impulse conduction system is working normally, heart contractions are synchronous and occur at regular intervals. Disturbances in this system immediately affect changes in heart rhythms and their regularity.

Symptoms: from mild to severe

Cardiac arrhythmias alter the pumping function of the heart, which can lead to a range of symptoms and complications - from rapid heartbeat, dizziness, fainting to the development of threatening blood clots in a vein and even cardiac arrest.

For arrhythmia, medications are prescribed that allow you to control the situation, as well as special procedures. Commonly used drugs include lanoxin, inderal, isoptin, cardioquin and pronestyl. However, you should be aware that these medications do not cure disorders, but only maintain heart rhythm.

To normalize the heart rhythm, carotid sinus massage, Valsalva technique, artificial pacemaker, electrical cardiac defibrillation and surgery are used.

Carotid sinus massage

The procedure involves massaging the carotid sinus (the place where the common carotid artery branches), located on the side of the neck, for several seconds, which helps restore heart rhythm. Patients are taught to massage themselves when arrhythmia occurs.

This method increases the pressure in chest, as a result of which the heart rhythm is restored. In this case: the patient does deep breath and holds your breath for at least 10 seconds before exhaling.

Installing a pacemaker - pacemaker

A pacemaker may be installed in the heart. This device generates electrical impulses that cause the heart to contract and set the heart rate. Usually, a temporary pacemaker is first installed for several days, and then a permanent one or a surgical operation.

Electrical defibrillation of the heart

This is a method of correcting heart rhythm using electrical current. The patient is first given sedative so that he falls asleep; then an electric current pulse is applied to the heart through special plates placed on the chest. The procedure normalizes the heart rate and relieves symptoms.

If abnormal heart rhythms cannot be corrected with medications or other conservative methods, the doctor may recommend following operations: open heart (to correct structural defects), implantation of a permanent pacemaker or installation of a cardioverter-defibrillator. In the latter case, the surgeon sews two small patches onto the surface of the heart, and then removes the thin wires attached to them under the skin into a pocket on the abdomen, where the device itself is placed. The cardioverter is activated automatically when the heart stops or is irregular. The device emits a pulse that restores normal heart rhythm.

You had a heart attack. What should you do?

Follow all doctor's orders

Make sure you understand your doctor's instructions correctly and take your medications as prescribed.

Monitor your medications for side effects and tell your doctor if you notice any. Thus, when taking Lanoxin, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and xanthopsia (seeing objects in yellow light) are sometimes observed.

If you have chest pain, call your doctor.

Eat what's good for your heart

Make changes to your diet as recommended by your doctor. It is usually advised to reduce the consumption of salt, fats and foods containing a lot of cholesterol.

Other useful changes

If you smoke, quit smoking.

Increase your sexual activity gradually.

Join a group in a rehabilitation program recommended by your doctor.

If symptoms and examination results do not provide a clear picture, the doctor should protect the patient by assuming that he is dealing with a heart attack. To confirm the diagnosis the following are used:

A 12-lead electrocardiogram, which may show characteristic abnormalities in the first few hours after a heart attack;

Echocardiography to detect abnormalities in ventricular wall motion;

The scan may show significant damage to the heart muscle, which appears on film as a “hot spot.”

Treatment is aimed at relieving chest pain, stabilizing heart rhythm, reducing workload on the heart, restoring blood supply to the coronary arteries, and preserving heart muscle tissue. In the first 48 hours after a heart attack, irregular heart rhythms require special attention; Medicines or a pacemaker may be needed. Sometimes for recovery normal rhythm an electrical impulse is applied to the heart (see WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HEART RHYTHM DISORDERS).

To support the heart muscle, your doctor may prescribe thrombolytic drugs that dissolve blood clots in the arteries (for example, streptokinase, alteplase, urokinase) no later than 6 hours after the onset of heart attack symptoms.

If narrowing of the coronary artery is the cause of heart attacks, subcutaneous coronary angioplasty is performed. In this process, the doctor inserts a thin balloon catheter filled with contrast dye into the narrowed coronary artery. After finding the narrowing site, the doctor inflates the catheter balloon, which expands and opens the artery.

Other treatments

After a heart attack, some patients are prescribed:

Lidocaine - to normalize certain types of heart rhythm disturbances;

Pronestyl, cardioquin, bretylin or norpace;

Atropine or temporary pacemaker if the intervals between heartbeats are too long;

Nitroglycerin, blockers calcium channels or other medications that relieve pain, redistribute blood flow so that more blood flows to malnourished areas of the heart muscle, help the heart pump more blood, and reduce the strain on the heart; heparin - to prevent the formation of blood clots;

Morphine - to relieve pain and provide sedation;

Medicines for improvement contractility heart disease or increased blood pressure;

Beta blockers (eg, inderal nblocadren) are used after an acute heart attack to prevent another attack;

Aspirin - to prevent blood clots (no later than 24 hours after the onset of symptoms);

Bed rest (it is forbidden to get up even to go to the toilet) to give complete rest to the heart;

Oxygen (within 24-48 hours);

Pulmonary artery catheterization - to detect left or right ventricular failure. The doctor threads a thin, hollow tube through the heart into the pulmonary artery to measure different pressures (see HAVE A HEART ATTACK. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?)