Contents:
- Medical Video: Acute Coronary Syndrome and Heart Attack
- 1. ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
- Symptoms of STEMI
- 2. Non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)
- Symptoms of NSTEMI
- 3. Coronary Artery Spasm (CAS)
- Symptoms of coronary artery spasm
- Treatment options for heart attacks
Medical Video: Acute Coronary Syndrome and Heart Attack
Heart attacks occur when blood flow to the heart is blocked. Usually this is caused by a blockage in the coronary arteries, which are blood vessels that carry high blood oxygen which flows through the heart muscles. If left unchecked, the condition can be life threatening. Although at first glance it looks the same, in the medical world heart attacks are divided into three types. The causes also vary. Here are three types of heart attacks to watch out for.
1. ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
STEMI is the most common type of heart attack. This condition is quite severe and requires immediate treatment. This heart attack is caused by a coronary artery that is completely blocked so that blood does not enter the heart. As a result, most heart muscle does not receive the blood supply until it finally stops functioning.
Symptoms of STEMI
The most common and common symptoms of STEMI are pain and tightness in the middle of the chest. In addition, some people who experience STEMI also feel pain on one or both sides of the arms, back, neck and jaw. Other symptoms caused by this type of heart attack are:
- Nausea
- Hard to breathe
- Restless
- The head feels light (kliyengan)
- Cold sweat appears
2. Non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)
Unlike STEMI, NSTEMI is a type of heart attack characterized by partial blockage of the coronary arteries. As a result, blood flow to the heart is very limited. Although the level is below the STEMI, this type of heart attack can cause permanent damage to the heart.
Symptoms of NSTEMI
The following are various symptoms that usually appear when you are exposed to NSTEMI.
- Hard to breathe
- Pain in the chest
- Pain in the jaw, neck, back and stomach
- Dizzy
- Nausea
- Excessive sweating
Maybe a glimpse of the symptoms of STEMI and NSTEMI looks the same. However, to distinguish whether you suffer from a STEMI or NSTEMI heart attack can be seen based on echocardiography (ECG) results or your heart record and heart marker examination. STEMI and NSTEMI are better known as acute coronary syndromes.
3. Coronary Artery Spasm (CAS)
Coronary artery spasm, also known as coronary artery spasm, is a type of heart attack without any blockage in the arteries. This condition occurs when one of the heart arteries experiences a seizure so that the blood flow to the heart decreases dramatically, even stopping temporarily.
This CAS is also better known as unstable angina pectoris (seated wind). Usually when a cardiac record is checked the results are normal and there is no increase in heart markers.
Symptoms of coronary artery spasm
The following are the symptoms that appear when you experience a CAS type heart attack, namely:
- Chest pain (angina) that occurs at rest, lasts from 5-30 minutes, and occurs at night or morning.
- Pain in the left chest.
- Feeling tightness in the chest.
Usually this condition can only be detected by using X-rays and blood tests. This one heart attack does not cause permanent damage and is relatively mild when compared to the type of heart attack STEMI and NSTEMI. However, experiencing a seizure in the coronary arteries can increase a person's risk of having a more severe heart attack.
Treatment options for heart attacks
Whatever the cause, these three types of heart attacks need immediate treatment. Don't delay to bring a loved one to the hospital when he has symptoms of a heart attack. Especially until unconscious.
Later, treatment will be adjusted to the type of heart attack experienced. Generally, before determining the type and severity of a heart attack, the doctor will give a series of initial medications such as:
- Aspirin to reduce blood clots.
- Oxygen therapy.
- Nitroglycerin to promote blood flow.
After that, the doctor will do a heart record and laboratory examination to determine what type of heart attack you are experiencing. If a type of heart attack has been detected, the doctor will provide various treatments that are in accordance with the diagnosis. A less severe heart attack is usually treated with:
- Clot busters or thrombolytic drugs that help destroy blood clots that clog arteries.
- Anticoagulants or blood thinners to help prevent blood clots.
- Blood pressure medications such as ACE inhibitors help control blood pressure and reduce the workload of the heart.
- Statins that help reduce bad cholesterol in the body.
- Beta-blockers that help reduce the workload of the heart and chest pain.
In addition, to treat a more severe heart attack the doctor may recommend surgery. Most importantly, never delay to immediately bring the closest person to the hospital when symptoms of a heart attack appear.
