Heart attack/ The wrong move that could be fatal

2024-03-02 22:19:00, Shëndeti CNA

Heart attack symptoms can appear suddenly or develop gradually, but in both cases they are a medical emergency. This is the main message of the research published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing.

The study found that patients with gradual onset of symptoms received medical attention in eight hours, compared to people with sudden onset of symptoms.

The gradual onset of symptoms begins with mild discomfort that worsens. On the other hand, in the case of unexpected incidents, a sudden and severe pain strikes from the very beginning.

"Both types are medical emergencies and require immediate help, but this is not the case with symptoms that appear gradually and are not given proper attention," said the first author of the study, Dr. Sahereh Mirzaei.

The analysis included 474 cases of patients presented to the emergency room with acute coronary syndrome. Symptom characteristics and the time between their onset and transport to the first aid center were assessed using a questionnaire.

In 56% of cases the symptoms appeared suddenly while in 44% there was a gradual deterioration. Both women and men sought medical help more quickly when experiencing severe pain.

"Almost half of the patients had a gradual onset of symptoms, which shows that this is not unusual. Symptoms of acute coronary syndrome are not specific and patients often have difficulty recognizing them. Pain, discomfort and pressure in the chest are warning signs that an artery may be blocked and patients should seek medical attention immediately," explains Dr. Mirzaei.

Symptoms were caused by physical fatigue in more than half of male patients (54%) with sudden onset and diagnosed with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (known as STEMI). This is a severe type of heart attack that requires the rapid restoration of blood flow to blocked arteries.

Concluding Dr. Mirzaei stated that “chest pain or discomfort, whether severe and sudden or mild, should not be ignored. Symptoms may also include neck, back, stomach and shoulder pain and may be accompanied by nausea, cold sweats, weakness, shortness of breath and fear. Call an ambulance immediately. The sooner you get medical help, the better it will be for your health"./ CNA