Heart-Attack

A heart attack, also known as myocardial infarction (MI), is a condition caused by an obstruction in blood flow. Essentially, a heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is abruptly halted due to blockage. This blockage is often caused by the accumulation of fatty substances, cholesterol, and other materials that gradually form plaque in the arteries directly connected to the heart (known as coronary arteries). As time passes, the plaque can either rupture within the artery or form a clot that obstructs blood flow. The sudden interruption in blood flow can cause damage or destruction to the heart muscles, resulting in a heart attack 

Symptoms of Heart Attack? 

Heart attack symptoms can vary in severity and presentation among individuals. While some may experience mild pain, others may have more intense symptoms, and in some cases, the heart attack can occur suddenly without any prior warning signs. Therefore, it is important to be vigilant about your health and that of your loved ones and watch out for any potential symptoms. 

The most common initial symptom of a heart attack is chest pain, which can start in the center of the chest and spread to the neck, jaw, ears, arms, wrists, shoulders, back, and stomach area. The pain may be severe or start as a dull ache, with feelings of heaviness, burning, tightness, pressure, or a squeezing sensation, similar to indigestion. 

Other symptoms that may indicate an impending heart attack include sudden pain in the arms, jaw, neck, back, or abdomen, feeling sick or sweaty, appearing pale and gray, feeling restless or unwell, experiencing sudden breathlessness, wheezing, or coughing, a sudden increase in heart rate, and sudden dizziness. 

What to do in a Heart Attack Emergency? 

It's important to note that some people may not experience typical symptoms such as chest pain before having a heart attack, particularly women, the elderly, and those with diabetes. If you feel any discomfort or suspect a heart attack, do not delay and call for emergency medical assistance immediately. The sooner you receive treatment, the better your chances of survival. If you believe you or someone else is having a heart attack, contact emergency services or call Sterling Hospitals at 98 98 98 78 78. 

Why Sterling Hospitals For Cardiac Emergencies? 

Sterling Hospitals is a premier healthcare facility that specializes in emergency and trauma care, particularly for cardiac emergencies. We are well-equipped to handle such situations, thanks to our legacy of expertise in this field. Here are some reasons why you should consider Sterling Hospitals for cardiac emergencies: 

• We prioritize time and understand the importance of prompt care. That's why our Door to Initial Assessment time is within 10 minutes. 
• Our team of well-trained medical professionals ensures that our Door to ECG time is within 10 minutes. 
• We have the necessary infrastructure to perform CT scans on patients, with our Door to CT time being within 25 minutes. 
• Our state-of-the-art Cathlab enables us to perform Primary Angioplasty on patients within 90 minutes of their arrival. 
• Our 24*7 Ambulance or ICU on wheels services are fully equipped to save a patient’s life, and we also offer Air Ambulance (airlift) facilities for patients in critical situations where ground transportation may not be safe or practical. 

At Sterling Hospitals, we understand that emergency resuscitation requires excellent teamwork and collaboration between different specialists. Our well-coordinated approach ensures that patients receive comprehensive care from a multidisciplinary team of specialists, including anaesthesia, cardiothoracic, neurosurgery, and more. We also ensure that our cardiac specialists are on standby to receive patients at the drive-through and start treatment immediately upon arrival. 

Overall, our advanced facilities, experienced staff, and commitment to prompt and effective care make us a top choice for cardiac emergencies. 

How do we Diagnose & Treat Heart Attack? 

To diagnose a heart attack, we check for initial symptoms and perform a series of tests. We check the patient's  
blood pressure,pulse, and temperature to analyze blood flow, heartbeats, and complications. We also connect the patient to a heart monitor to assess the severity of the heart attack. 

The cornerstone for diagnosing a heart attack is the electrocardiogram (ECG) test, which screens for heart attacks using electrical signals. We also take blood samples to check for certain proteins or enzymes that may lead to an attack. 
In addition, we may perform additional tests such as a chest  

• X-ray,  
• 2D echo 
• Angiogram 
• Cardiac CT/MRI scan to check the size of the heart and blood vessels, heart chambers and valves, artery blockage, and severity of heart damage. 

At Sterling, our primary focus is to restore blood flow quickly to prevent heart damage. Every passing minute with a heart attack is crucial. Hence, we start emergency medications such as aspirin, anti-platelet agents, thrombolytics, nitroglycerin, pain relievers, statins, beta-blockers/ACE inhibitors to manage severe chest pain, control cholesterol levels, and relax heart muscles to reduce blood pressure. 

Once the diagnosis is complete, we initiate surgical procedures (if needed) along with medications. 

At Sterling Hospitals, we offer two surgical procedures for heart attack treatment - coronary angioplasty or stenting and coronary artery bypass surgery. Link to Cardiology Page  

If a patient needs surgery, we closely monitor their blood flow until their condition stabilizes. We also provide cardiac rehabilitation services to help patients manage their day-to-day life, including their lifestyle, stress levels, and medications, so they can return to normal life as soon as possible. 

After surgery, patients can expect a hospital stay of around 4-5 days for complete recovery. Initially, patients will be kept in a recovery room for observation, and they will be transferred to their hospital room once their vitals are stable and they are alert. Our team of doctors and nurses will monitor the patient's heart health every day and educate them on how to watch out for any warning signs or symptoms after discharge. 

It may take 4-6 weeks for patients to gradually return to their normal daily routine after discharge. We advise patients to attend their follow-up appointments and to be vigilant for any warning signs or symptoms