General Information About Heart Attack
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is the condition where the heart's own tissue becomes deprived of oxygen and necrotizes (infarcts) due to the blockage of one of the tubes (coronary arteries) that nourish the heart, which keeps the body alive by pumping blood.
Cholesterol plaques (atherosclerosis) accumulated on the vessel wall over the years suddenly rupture. The body sends platelets there to repair this tear, and the resulting large clot completely blocks the already narrowed vessel, causing an attack.
A severe sensation of pressure, burning, and squeezing right in the middle of the chest (over the sternum) as if an elephant is sitting on it. This pain often radiates to the left arm, back, neck, and lower jaw. It is accompanied by severe cold sweating, fear of death, shortness of breath, nausea, and vomiting. (In women and diabetics, the pain can be insidious, presenting only as shortness of breath or stomach pain).
The patient should absolutely not be made to walk; they should be seated and rested. Tight clothing (tie, collar) should be loosened. If known and previously prescribed by a doctor, chewing 1 Aspirin slows the growth of the clot. The 112 Emergency Service must be called immediately without wasting time or trying to transport the patient in your own vehicle!
The type of attack in the heart is instantly seen with the ECG (Electrocardiography) taken in the emergency room. The diagnosis is confirmed by performing Troponin enzyme tests in the blood, which indicate heart muscle damage.
The patient is immediately given blood thinners and taken to the Coronary Angiography (Catheter Laboratory) unit within seconds. Entering the vessel from the groin or wrist, the blocked area is found, the vessel is opened by inflating a Balloon sent over a special wire, and a steel mesh (Stent) is placed there so it doesn't close again. Depending on the extent of the damage, the patient is taken to Intensive Care.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
