Extensive heart attack - what is it? Everyone has probably heard of such a state, but does everyone know what is really hiding under such a concept and what are the consequences of such a dangerous phenomenon? In fact, a massive heart attack is a thrombosis of coronary vessels, as a result of which approximately 40% of victims die before they arrive at the hospital.
brief information
In this condition, most of the heart muscle dies. Because of this, the victim can instantly fall into a cardiogenic shock, which can be fatal.
The consequences and chances of surviving a massive heart attack actually depend on how quickly the victim falls into the hands of doctors. If drug therapy is powerless, cardiac surgeons perform emergency surgery on the vessels.
Extensive heart attack - what is it
The first thing to say is that with ischemia with a small lesion only a small area of the heart muscle suffers. In such a situation, the victim does not face serious consequences. The chances of surviving a heart attack that affects only a small area of the muscle remain high. In addition, after appropriate treatment and rehabilitation, a person can return to a full-fledged lifestyle. Some people even tolerate this condition on their feet.
Extensive heart attack is another matter. What does this mean and what consequences can it lead to? This condition represents the death of a significant area of the myocardium due to clogging of the coronary arteries by a thrombus. Deprived of normal nutrition and oxygen, the heart muscle loses its ability to contract normally. Against the background of this phenomenon, blood pressure suddenly decreases. As a result, the victim falls into cardiogenic shock, which poses a direct threat not only to health but also to life.
Features
A heart attack can cover various parts of the myocardium:
- back wall;
- the front wall of the left ventricle;
- the septum between the ventricles.
According to statistics, representatives of the stronger sex are more prone to extensive heart attack - they have this pathology diagnosed 4 times more often than women. And the thing is that for women of the same age, the hormone estrogen acts as a defense. But after a sixty-year milestone, a heart attack with equal frequency overtakes both men and women.
Causes of occurrence
The main prerequisite for the development of acute ischemia is atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries. Formed plaques simply clog vessels. Growing in size, they make the lumen too narrow, which slows blood circulation. This is the bonding of red blood cells. As a result, blood clots form.
With such a critical state of the vessels, a sharp increase in pressure, drinking, emotional arousal, overeating can lead to rupture of the plaque and damage to the artery wall. To eliminate such an injury, a lump of red blood cells is formed. At the same time, blood clots form, which produce substances that provoke vasospasm.
Etiology
Blood clots can grow along, reaching a centimeter. Although much worse when they grow across the vessels. Indeed, with arterial spasm, blood circulation can completely stop. In this case, acute ischemia occurs.
About 15 minutes after the cessation of blood flow, the corresponding section of the myocardium dies, against which the clinical picture of an extensive heart attack unfolds. What does this mean for the victim? If a person is given first aid in time and the necessary therapy is carried out, connective tissue appears at the site of necrosis. In just a week, a post-infarction scar begins to appear.
Risk groups
Factors favoring the appearance of ischemia of the heart muscle are involved in the occurrence of this pathology. Among the causes of an extensive heart attack include:
- arterial hypertension, which entails a thickening of the walls of the vessels, while they lose elasticity and adaptability;
- abdominal obesity provokes the development of the same arterial hypertension and actually atherosclerotic plaques, in addition, excess mass contributes to heart overload;
- a sedentary lifestyle leads to thickening of the blood;
- diabetes is characterized by fragility of blood vessels, and more vulnerable arteries are more easily exposed to atherosclerosis;
- smoking gradually destroys blood vessels from the inside and provokes their spasm;
- prolonged emotional stress is accompanied by spasm of the arteries;
- lipid disorder - elevated blood cholesterol is the basis of a heart attack;
- unhealthy diet, abuse of foods that are high in saturated fats;
- atrial fibrillation is accompanied by the formation of a blood clot in the heart cavity;
- alcohol abuse contributes to the destruction of blood vessels, the development of hypertension, failures in the liver, which regulates the processing of fats;
- with kidney pathologies due to disturbed metabolic processes of calcium and phosphorus, these elements are deposited inside the arteries, which makes them too stiff.
In addition, physical overload can be the cause of a massive heart attack. With increased myocardial oxygen demand, arteries may not be able to handle blood circulation. As a result, there is a sudden lack of nutrition, which provokes an acute form of ischemia. In other words, athletes are more likely to have a heart attack.
Symptoms
A heart attack always happens suddenly. He can overtake a person in a public place, at home, at work or in competitions. The signs of this condition may vary, but the following symptoms remain unchanged:
- heavy sweating;
- pressure reduction;
- weakness;
- intense pressing pain in the chest, extending to the left arm, shoulder blade, shoulder, ear;
- numbness of the hand on the same side;
- pallor of the skin;
- tachycardia;
- uncontrolled feeling of fear;
- arrhythmia.
Features of the clinical picture
If the back wall of the heart muscle is affected, the victim may experience pain in the abdomen and vomiting, which does not bring relief.
In many ways, the consequences and chances of surviving with an extensive heart attack depend on the timeliness of the assistance provided. That is why it is so important to identify a critical condition in time and take the necessary pre-medical measures. With a heart attack, the victim's heart rate increases, the pulse becomes irregular. The patient practically gets cold sweat, intermittent breathing is observed. The clinical picture is supplemented by dizziness and severe weakness throughout the body. Panic, confusion, misunderstanding of what is happening are reflected on the person’s face.
First aid
The consequences and chances of surviving with an extensive heart attack depend primarily on the timeliness of the measures taken. In critical condition, a person may die if first aid is not provided on time.
What to do in such a situation? The first step is to call an ambulance. The faster qualified measures are taken, the greater the chance of survival. Then you need to act as quickly as possible.
- The victim must be put on his back, slightly raising his chest, to reduce the burden on the heart. To do this, place a pillow, blanket or folded clothes. But if there is low blood pressure and a badly felt pulse, the head should be placed below the level of the body. Only in this way can blood circulation be maintained. If shortness of breath is pronounced, the patient should be seated so that the legs are lowered - this can facilitate the activity of the heart. The main thing is that a person should not walk in any case.
- It is very important to ensure full breathing by unfastening the collar, removing your tie and opening the window.
- Nitroglycerin should be placed under the tongue. However, it is forbidden to use it under reduced pressure, a rare pulse, and pallor of the skin.
- It is worth knowing that with an extensive heart attack, nitroglycerin rarely relieves pain immediately. So after 15 minutes, the patient can be given another pill.
- Then the victim should take 1/2 aspirin. To get a faster effect, you need to chew the tablet.
- If the patient has lost consciousness, and the heart has stopped, you should immediately begin resuscitation. It is necessary to conduct an indirect massage with a frequency of 80-100 strokes per minute on the lower third of the chest.
Only with the help of such measures can one save a person’s life or at least increase his chances.
Oddly enough, a massive heart attack can also manifest as pain and burning sensation in the abdomen - this is how its abdominal form proceeds. Typically, this condition is perceived by the patient as an upset stomach. But if after taking the appropriate drugs the symptoms do not disappear, you should call a doctor.
Probable complications
The earlier professional assistance was provided to the victim, the less unpleasant consequences of an extensive myocardial infarction appear. Often, people who have survived ischemia face such complications:
- pulmonary edema;
- cardiac asthma;
- cardiogenic shock;
- swelling of the legs and shortness of breath as symptoms of heart failure;
- pericarditis;
- myocardial rupture;
- thromboembolism.
Such consequences are explained very simply: an extensive heart attack covers a large area of the heart muscle.
Forecast
According to statistics, approximately 40% of people die before the arrival of an ambulance. Although in reality no doctor can accurately determine the consequences of an extensive heart attack and the victim's chances of survival.
Approximately half of patients who have undergone this pathology die within a few months. Those who are faced with a lesion of the posterior wall of the left ventricle are more likely to survive. Although, of course, the further prognosis for an extensive heart attack depends on the age of the patient, the characteristics of his body, the presence of other diseases and congestive events in the heart. So, a patient at 70 years old is much more difficult to normalize the myocardium due to its deterioration and weakness. In addition, pneumonia is often associated with pathology in old age, which remains undetected for a long time due to erased symptoms. In older people, a heart attack can occur repeatedly.
Recommendations
Significantly prolong your life if you systematically visit a cardiologist and follow all his recommendations. The diet of the patient is also considered important.
Doctors advise giving up coffee, carbonated drinks, animal fats. But it is preferable to give preference to products that help the body recover - fruits, cereals, fish, vegetables.
Disability with a massive heart attack is not a myth. The criterion that allows you to assign a specific group to the patient is the presence of complications, especially the work of the myocardium. In addition, working conditions are taken into account. The final decision rests with the expert committee.
Recovering from a massive heart attack
The consequences of acute ischemia can be stopped with the help of special rehabilitation therapy. Most of it is carried out in medical centers and medical sanatoriums. Then, rehabilitation measures can be carried out at home.
During the period of rehabilitation therapy, it is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle:
- sleep at least 8 hours;
- refuse tobacco and alcohol;
- beware of severe stress.
As for physical activity, at first you can do only walks, gradually increasing the load. To speed up rehabilitation, exercise therapy should be done regularly. All other stages of rehabilitation therapy are selected individually by the doctor, depending on the particular case.
If you follow all the instructions exactly, you can extend your own life by at least a few years.