For the undisturbed function of the heart, in addition to a healthy valve system and functional muscles, the undisturbed supply of the heart muscle with oxygen and nutrients is a decisive prerequisite. If this supply of the heart muscle is disturbed, the function of the heart is also impaired. The coronary arteries are very important for supplying the heart with oxygen and nutrients.
General knowledge of heart disease
The arteries of this circulatory area originate from the aorta and branch on the outside of the heart muscle. The arterial blood vessels are functional end arteries, which means that under physiological conditions they have very little connection with one another. If an arterial vessel closes, the supply of oxygen and nutrients is interrupted in a certain section of the heart muscle.
If this interruption lasts for a long time, the result is the destruction of the heart muscle tissue in this area. The extent of the functional impairment depends on the location and size of this area and can result in a disorder of the heart function or a reduction in cardiac output. But when the area that perishes reaches a certain size, the heart can no longer maintain its function; the heart fails.
However, this state is no longer compatible with life. If a smaller part of the heart muscles fails as a result of a circulatory disorder, the muscles die first. Then a scar forms. These events, which are accompanied by an interruption in blood circulation in a specific area of the heart muscles and lead to the breakdown of part of the heart muscles, are known as heart attacks.
Heart attack & angina pectoris
Heart attack is a disease that can take very different forms. Another condition to be mentioned in this context is angina pectoris. These are volatile, temporary disturbances in the oxygen supply to the heart muscle.
Such events can be accompanied by pain in the left side of the chest radiating to the left shoulder or arm. These complaints can be observed after psychological or physical stress, but also occur during rest. In angina pectoris, however, adequate circulation in the coronary arteries is always restored.
However, this disease is a sign that the normal blood supply to the heart muscle is at risk. Since a heart attack is a disease mechanism that initially has the same conditions as angina pectoris, we can observe symptoms similar to those of angina pectoris in a heart attack. Pain in the left side of the chest, which often radiates into the left arm, is also possible with a heart attack, without needing to be a typical characteristic for him. In some cases they are more violent, in others they are less severe than in angina pectoris.
Today we know that some heart attacks (according to the latest observations up to 40 percent) occur without pain. The disease can then only be diagnosed with the help of the electrocardiogram (EKG) or blood tests if the patient has uncharacteristic symptoms.
Although the greater part of the diseases only leads to a temporary impairment of the cardiac function and with regard to the further course only causes a moderate or more permanent limitation of the cardiac output, the heart attack is to be regarded as a serious clinical picture. The pain in the left side of the chest is seen by many people as an alarm signal of a serious illness, because most people are aware that the undisturbed function of the heart is of crucial importance for the processes of life.
Treatment & prevention of heart disease
That is understandable and correct from a medical point of view. But what conclusions should be drawn from this? If there is pain in the left side of the chest, this sign is intended to prompt the patient to seek medical attention immediately.
With the help of modern examination procedures, the doctor can determine what changes are in the heart, what medical measures need to be taken, and give advice on how the patient should continue to behave. As already mentioned, not every pain in the left side of the chest means a heart attack and therefore a serious threat to life. However, this fact must not lead to indifference.
Any heart disease must be assessed and treated by a doctor. This is the only way to avoid further damage. This is an indispensable necessity and it must be emphasized with great emphasis. The doctor now has the opportunity to recognize even minor changes and initiate treatment measures.
In doing so, the question also arises: Are there ways of preventing a heart attack? As with many diseases, you can also take preventive action here through the way you live. It is therefore not only necessary to ensure adequate sleep and sensible relaxation, but also to ensure that the necessary physical strain is guaranteed in addition to mental activity.
The safest way to prevent heart attack is an extensive and daily light exercise program such as jogging or swimming. However, this does not mean that only exercise in the fresh air leads to relaxation, but that daily, extensive sport also brings about a state of training of the circulatory system and the healthy heart, which guarantees optimal function, whereby the forces are then as economical as possible can be used.
But even if the heart is already disturbed, sensible physical exertion is essential. However, it should be carried out in agreement with the attending physician, who can determine the size of the load and is able to assess when the performance limit has been reached. There are a wide variety of options to ensure sensible physical strain. In addition to the regular walks for the elderly, endurance sports should also be mentioned. However, this refers to sport that guarantees all-round training. The references to physical activity seem particularly important to us because there are still some misconceptions about it.
It is not physical rest that helps prevent cardiac and circulatory damage, but sensible physical activity is an effective means of preventing cardiovascular diseases, whereby one-sided overexertion should of course be avoided. In addition to physical exertion, getting enough sleep is important. The most important thing is that it really leads to relaxation. For this reason, it is necessary to relax physically beforehand, for example by taking a short walk.
It is also known that psychological stress has an unfavorable effect on the regulation of cardiovascular activity. It is difficult to generally demand that psychological stress should be avoided. However, it must be emphasized that under the pressure of psychological stress and excessive psychological demands, the meaningful organization of the daily routine must not be lost. However, since psychological stress often results from poor interpersonal behavior or from the feeling of not being able to cope with a certain task, upbringing and education are also important factors in heart attack prophylaxis.
It makes sense to eat smaller meals frequently and to avoid overloading with unreasonably large meals. A fixed rhythm of food intake is essential for maintaining the vegetative balance and for safeguarding physiological reflex mechanisms. Medical measures to prevent myocardial infarction should not be discussed in detail here, it should only be mentioned that, based on scientific studies, preventive treatment with anticoagulant substances can be carried out in certain cases today, which in the event of an impending heart attack can prevent the onset of an acute one Prevent disease event.
A heart attack is a clinical picture that can have very different perceived symptoms. Sometimes uncharacteristic complaints occur, which are often not viewed as a heart disease by the sick person; they can also cause severe pain in the left side of the chest, combined with a feeling of oppression. Since a heart attack is a disease that can be cured in many cases, but can also have an unfavorable outcome, it is necessary to prevent heart and circulatory diseases by taking measures in a meaningful way of life.
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