Heart Attack

A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, occurs when blood flow to the heart is severely reduced or blocked. Blockages in coronary arteries, which carry blood to the heart, happen from the buildup of cholesterol, fat, and other substances. A lack of blood flow can damage or destroy the heart muscle.

At BKLYN Cardio, we employ minimally invasive procedures to find and repair blocked arteries and help blood flow. Our team also monitors cholesterol, blood pressure, and other markers of heart attacks during routine checkups.

When you experience a heart attack, blood flow to a part of your heart muscle stops or is far below normal, disrupting the blood-pumping function of the heart. This may reduce or stop blood flow to other parts of your body. 

In the United States, someone experiences a heart attack every 40 seconds, and about 805,000 people have a heart attack annually.

Prompt treatment is needed when you experience a heart attack. If you experience any symptoms of a heart attack, please call 911 immediately for emergency care.

If you are experiencing one or more of the following symptoms, you may be having a heart attack:

• Chest pain, pressure, or tightness
• Squeezing or aching in the chest or arms
• Pain in your arms, jaw, neck, back, or stomach
• Shortness of breath
• Extreme fatigue
• Cold sweats
• Heartburn
• Abdominal pain
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Lightheadedness

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of heart attack. With CAD, the coronary arteries get blocked due to plaque buildup. A less common cause of heart attack is an intense spasm or sudden contraction of a coronary artery, resulting in the stoppage of blood flow to the heart muscle.

Commonly seen causes of a heart attack include:

• Acute complete blockage of heart arteries
• Partial blockage of heart arteries
• Quick tightening of blood vessels
• Rare medical conditions
• Eating disorders
• Obstruction like a blood clot or air bubble in the coronary artery

The following are common risk factors that can increase your vulnerability to a heart attack:

• Unhealthy cholesterol levels
• Diabetes 
• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Unhealthy weight
• Family history of heart attacks
• Certain medical conditions, such as preeclampsia 

Early detection is crucial if you are at risk of having a heart attack. You may undergo a physical examination when you experience symptoms of a heart attack.

Your health provider will check your pulse, blood oxygen levels, blood pressure, and heart and lung sounds. During your examination, you may be asked to describe your symptoms in detail. 

Diagnostic testing for a heart attack can include:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): This helps measure and interpret heart activity, such as irregular heartbeats and poor blood flow to the heart muscle.
• Blood tests: These tests are done to check for cardiac markers, such as checking for proteins that leak into the blood vessels after heart damage. 
• Chest X-ray: It shows the condition and size of your heart and lungs.
• Imaging tests: You may be asked to have imaging tests, such as a CT scan or MRI, to create images of your heart and chest.
• Echocardiogram: This test uses ultrasound to determine how blood moves through the heart and heart valves. 
• Stress test: It can be performed to observe how your heart reacts to externally induced stress. 

In case of a heart attack, a minimally invasive heart procedure, such as angioplasty or stent placement, can be performed to find and repair blocked arteries. In some cases, bypass surgery can be done to help blood flow past the blockage through newly created veins and arteries.

One or more of the following treatments may be recommended if you experience a heart attack:

• Medications: You may be asked to take medications to reduce blood clotting in arteries and improve blood flow to the heart. 
• Cardiac rehabilitation: It comprises a personalized exercise and education program aimed at enhancing heart health following cardiac surgery. It focuses on exercise, a heart-healthy diet, and stress management.  
• Dietary and exercise changes: Based on your heart condition, you may be recommended a personalized exercise and diet plan.

At BKLYN Cardio, we believe in lifestyle remedies as a first line of defense for preventing a heart attack. Some preventive measures for heart attack include:

• Following a nutritious diet rich in fruits and vegetables
• Reducing consumption of saturated fat, added sugar, and sodium
• Taking evidence-based herbal supplements
• Following a regular exercise regimen
• Maintaining healthy body weight
• Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol
• Controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels
• Reducing stress
• Getting sound sleep 

If you or someone you know experiences sudden and intense chest pain, radiating pain along your arms, or any other symptoms of a heart attack, please call 911 immediately for emergency care. 

At BKLYN Cardio, we emphasize non-invasive procedures and integrated lifestyle management to enhance your heart health.

To schedule an initial appointment with our interventional cardiologist, Dr. Matthew Jones, please call 718-237-4067 or request one online. You can also visit our practice in Brooklyn, NY.