Khaberni - German doctors have reported that a heart attack occurs when the blood vessels that supply the heart with oxygen and nutrients, called "coronary arteries," are blocked. This condition occurs for several reasons, including the buildup of calcium deposits in them.
The doctors at the German Heart Foundation explained that since this process is gradual, symptoms often appear before the obstruction, when the blood vessels have already narrowed. This condition is referred to as coronary artery disease.
Common symptoms of coronary heart disease include what is known as angina. Symptoms include feeling pain, pressure, or tightness in the chest, making breathing difficult. If these symptoms appear during physical exertion and improve with rest, it is advised to visit a doctor.
However, even milder symptoms may warn of a heart attack, so they should be medically evaluated; for example, if a person has difficulty climbing stairs for more than two weeks, feels weakness, suffers from unexplained shortness of breath, or tires easily.
The doctors at the German Heart Foundation pointed out that the situation becomes critical when angina occurs suddenly even at rest; this could indicate an imminent heart attack.
This stage can last several weeks, but sometimes only a few hours, especially if one wakes up at night with chest pain, necessitating immediate emergency medical help.
During the heart attack itself, every minute is crucial; as there is a risk of permanent heart failure and even cardiac arrest. Common symptoms include:
- Sudden onset of severe chest pain or behind the sternum that lasts for more than five minutes.
- Pain spreading to other parts of the body such as the arms (usually the left side), the upper part of the abdomen, the back, the neck, the jaw, or the shoulder blades.
- Severe tightness and pressure in the chest.
- Severe burning sensation in the chest, which may resemble heartburn.
The foundation noted that heart attack symptoms often vary in women; sometimes, women experience nonspecific symptoms such as upper abdominal pain, which may be confused with stomach pain, or nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or unexplained fatigue, making immediate diagnosis difficult.
