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Written by Navneet Kaur, M.Sc. Nutrition & Dietetics
Health
a) Heart Attack: Blood flow blockage occurs in the coronary arteries, preventing oxygen to reach a part of the heart muscle. b) Cardiac Arrest: Heart suddenly stops beating due to some electrical signal malfunction.
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a) Blockage in the arteries leads to the heart muscle being deprived of oxygen, which leads to tissue damage. b) Symptoms develop (often) over minutes to hours.
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The electrical signal system fails due to which the heart stops beating. This leads to immediate loss of blood flow to the brain/body, loss of consciousness, and no pulse.
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Chest pain or discomfort (pressure, squeezing) often radiating to the arms, shoulder, or jaw. Shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, and dizziness.
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Sudden collapse, loss of consciousness, no pulse, no breathing or gasping.
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For both cases, the immediate response would be to take medical supervision and follow the protocols as guided by them.
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a) Heart Attack: The damage grows with time; survival depends on the speed of treatment. b) Cardiac Arrest: If not treated within minutes, there is a high risk of death or brain injury.
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A heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest if enough damage disrupts the heart’s electrical system. But not all heart attacks can cause cardiac arrest, and cardiac arrest can occur without a preceding heart attack.
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Preventing heart attack (lifestyle: diet, exercise, controlling BP/cholesterol) helps reduce the risk of both. Awareness about the symptoms and quick action can help save lives. Don’t ignore chest discomfort, as every minute counts.
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