Not all heart conditions are the same. Some affect the blood vessels to the heart or brain, heart muscles and valves, and other areas of the body. Cardiovascular diseases can require long-term treatment or come on suddenly and seriously.
Recent high-profile events have highlighted the need to act quickly and be prepared with the proper tools to save lives when cardiac events happen in everyday life. Learn more about the conditions grabbing recent headlines and commonly diagnosed diseases and what you can do to optimize your heart health every day.
WHAT IS CARDIAC ARREST?
Cardiac arrest is when someone’s heart suddenly stops beating. This was the case for 24-year-old Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills when he collapsed on the field during a game with the Cincinnati Bengals. Often, cardiac arrest is the result of electrical disturbances that cause the heart to suddenly stop beating the way it should. In Hamlin’s case, it is believed to be caused by an infrequent occurrence when someone is hit in the chest at the exact moment when the heart is in between beats. In cardiac arrest, death can result quickly if steps aren’t taken immediately.
Jeremy Turlington, MD, a cardiologist and intensive care physician at VCU Health Pauley Heart Center, highlights the importance of getting a patient’s pulse back to normal when responding to cardiac arrest. This may include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), chest compressions and defibrillator shocks. Every minute without a pulse means another minute without oxygen spreading throughout the body, which can potentially cause damage to the brain and other vital organs.
“Cardiac arrest may be reversed if CPR is performed and a defibrillator shocks the heart and restores a normal heart rhythm within a few minutes,” the American Heart Association says.
More than 350,000 cardiac arrests happen outside a hospital in the United States each year, the association said. The number of deaths can be reduced by learning the signs of cardiac arrest and first aid, including CPR training and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).
“It’s really those people doing whatever measures they can to try to get the pulse back and the flow back to the brain. That’s what saves lives,” Turlington said.
Cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack, although almost any known heart condition, including a heart attack, can cause cardiac arrest.
WHAT IS A HEART ATTACK?
Unlike cardiac arrest, a heart attack is a circulation problem. A heart attack is caused by a blockage of one of the three coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart. The sooner a blocked artery is opened, the less damage there is to the heart. When a heart attack strikes, every second counts.
Blockages causing heart attacks are mainly caused by a buildup of plaque in the arteries. People at risk for heart attacks have a family history of heart attacks, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, lack of exercise, and cigarette smoking.
And while heart attacks can be fatal, they do not automatically lead to death. Immediate emergency medical help can often prevent a serious outcome. Calling 911 I the best course of action if you suspect someone is having a heart attack.
Common symptoms of a heart attack may include discomfort or pain in the chest; discomfort in other areas of the upper body, including pain in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach; and shortness of breath. Other possible signs include cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
WHAT IS HEART FAILURE?
Heart failure is a long-term condition in which your heart can’t pump blood well enough to meet your body’s needs all the time. The most obvious result is swelling, also called edema, usually in the legs and ankles, though it can happen anywhere in the body. Heart failure also impairs the kidneys’ ability to dispose of water and sodium, causing even more swelling. When pulmonary edema occurs, fluid collects in the lungs and interferes with breathing.
Treatment includes exercise and medicine at first and possible surgical procedures when heart failure worsens. Your outlook depends on a range of factors, including how well you take care of yourself. Conditions that can lead to heart failure include high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and coronary artery disease.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEART.
The good news is that everyone can establish heart-healthy lifestyle changes to improve the health of their heart. These include aiming for a healthy weight, eating heart-healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, limiting saturated fats, sodium and added sugars, being physically active, managing stress, quitting smoking, and getting enough good-quality sleep.
“Facing a diagnosis of heart disease can be an intimidating prospect, and there is a lot of misinformation out there that can add to your anxiety,” explains Mohammed Makkiya, MD, a cardiologist with VCU Health Pauley Heart Center in Tappahannock. “We work with our patients to explain everything and ensure they are educated about their condition, all the while providing reassurance and the most innovative treatment possible.”