During National Heart Week this year, 2-8 May, the Heart Foundation is asking the question: “Will you recognise your heart attack?”
Heart attack warning signs vary from person to person; and they may not always be sudden or severe. Although chest pain or discomfort is the most common symptom, some people will not experience this symptom at all. Jaw, neck, back or shoulder pain can also be a warning sign of a heart attack.
So, pain, pressure, heaviness or lightness in one or more parts of your upper body – sometimes in combination with other symptoms such as nausea, dizziness or shortness of breath – are all causes for concern.
Whatever the symptoms, all heart attacks have one thing in common, that is, the sooner you receive treatment, the less damage will be done.
The heart is a beating muscle that pumps blood continually to the rest of the body. The so-called coronary arteries supply the heart with the oxygen and nutrients that it needs to function.
Red blood cells, white blood cells, and other components of blood flow freely through the arteries to the heart and other parts of the body. In a healthy person, the inner walls of the arteries are smooth and uniform in thickness.
However, arteries can become blocked over time by the build up of fatty deposits of cholesterol called plaque. The greater the build up of plaque, the greater the risk of heart attack. Blockage of the arteries can also occur at the site of a crack in the plaque. When this happens, blood cells and other components can clump together at the site, forming a blood clot, or thrombus. This can grow to completely block blood flow to the heart muscles. If the artery remains blocked, the lack of blood permanently damages the area of heart muscle supplied by the artery.
The extent of damage sustained by the heart during a heart attack depends on the severity and location of the blockage, and the speed at which medical treatment is received. So learning the warning signs is critical. If you think you could be having a heart attack, call 000.
Along with early recognition of heart attack, prevention strategies are of paramount importance.
According to the National Heart Foundation, it could be small life-style changes that might make the biggest difference in improving heart health – small changes that we can put into effect ourselves and that are not at all costly and are well within our personal price range. Nevertheless, simple as these changes are, they are often the most difficult to implement, because they involve changes in our sometimes firmly entrenched behaviour.
Weight management is essential. Healthy eating is making sure you still get all the nutrients you need for good health while reducing the amount of energy (kilojoules) you take in. The good news is that many foods that are low in energy are also packed full of essential vitamins, minerals and fibre.
Being physically active is important too and the activity doesn’t have to be over vigorous. Bush walking, cycling or swimming are all fine; whatever takes your fancy. Aim for about 30 minutes of moderate intensity on most days of the week; and this can be accumulated in bouts of 10 minutes or so if this is more convenient.
You can get more healthy heart tips from the “Heartsite” at www.heartfoundation.org.au or visit your nearest Self Care pharmacy – pharmacies providing the Pharmaceutical Society’s health information. There are fact cards on Exercise and the Heart, Weight and Health, Fat and cholesterol and High Blood Pressure. Call 1300 369 772 for more information, or check out the Pharmaceutical society website at www.psa.org.au and click on Self Care pharmacy finder.
