A heart-attack is often perceived as a sudden, dramatic event with unmistakable symptoms. However, many heart attacks are “silent,” occurring without noticeable symptoms or with mild symptoms that people do not associate with a heart attack. This type of heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, occurs when the heart does not receive enough oxygen, leading to damage. While a blood clot blocking a coronary artery is the usual cause, a coronary artery spasm can also restrict blood flow.
It is estimated that nearly 50% to 80% of all heart attacks are silent. Many people mistakenly believe their perceived fitness correlates with their actual heart health, which is not always the case. More than half of patients with heart disease exhibit no symptoms, a condition known as silent ischemia, which can lead to a silent heart attack.
THE FUNDAMENTAL FLAW OF HEALTHCARE: HEART-ATTACK
The rising incidence of silent heart attacks is partly due to a lack of routine health checkups. Many individuals only seek medical attention when they experience symptoms, by which time it may be too late. This delay in seeking care is a critical flaw in modern healthcare.
Routine checkups are essential because some diseases present no obvious symptoms. For instance, thousands of young women may have early-stage breast cancer but are unaware of it because they do not experience pain or other symptoms until the disease progresses. This highlights the importance of proactive medical care.
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS: HEART-ATTACK
Two primary factors deter people from seeking routine medical checkups: fear of discovering health issues and the perceived time and financial costs associated with medical visits. It is crucial for individuals to be aware of their health status and seek regular medical evaluations.
HEART ATTACKS IN WOMEN:
The incidence of women developing a coronary disease is significantly less till they reach the age of 40-45 years, hormones prevent them from developing the heart disease during their productive years. However, once women approach menopause level, incident gradually starts increasing.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES:
To reduce the risk of Heart Disease and other medical conditions, preventive measures must we adapted in life-
- Childhood Checkups: Children must visit a pediatrician from joining school to rule out any serious condition and once they are out of school the child’s basic checkup must be done by the time they are 16-18 years old.
- Adult Checkups: Individuals should begin with annual preventive checkup by 25-30 age.
LIFESTYLE CHANGES:
Implementing lifestyle change can lead to rule out Heart Diseases.
- Dietary Regulations: Schools, offices, and hospitals should revise their canteen menus to reduce fast food and high salt content.
- Healthy Habits: Regular exercise, avoiding tobacco, eating healthy, managing stress and maintain weight play a crucial role.
RECOGNISING HEART ATTACK SYMPTOMS:
For individuals with ischemic heart disease, chest pain during physical activity that subsides with rest is a common symptom. However, if chest pain persists, it could indicate a heart attack. Recognizing and responding to such symptoms promptly is essential for effective treatment.
