- What causes a fulminant heart attack
- Main symptoms of fulminant infarction
- What to do in fulminant infarction
- How fulminant treatment is done
- How to prevent a heart attack
Fulminant infarction is one that appears suddenly and that can often cause the victim to die before it can be seen by the doctor. Almost half of the cases die before they reach the hospital, due to the speed with which it happens and the lack of effective care.
This type of infarction occurs when there is an abrupt interruption of blood flow to the heart, and is usually caused by genetic changes, which cause changes in the blood vessels or severe arrhythmia. This risk is higher in young people with genetic changes or people with risk factors for heart disease, such as smoking, obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure.
Due to its severity, fulminant infarction can lead to death in minutes, if it is not promptly diagnosed and treated, causing the situation known as sudden death. Therefore, in the presence of symptoms that may indicate a heart attack, such as chest pain, feeling of tightness or shortness of breath, for example, it is very important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
What causes a fulminant heart attack
The fulminant heart attack is usually caused by the obstruction of blood flow by rupture of a fatty plaque that is attached to the inner wall of the vessel. When this plaque breaks, it releases inflammatory substances that prevent the passage of blood that carries oxygen to the walls of the heart.
Fulminant infarction occurs especially in young people, as they do not yet have the so-called collateral circulation, responsible for irrigating the heart together with the coronary arteries. Lack of circulation and oxygen causes the heart muscle to suffer, causing chest pain, which can then result in death of the heart muscle.
In addition, people who are most at risk of developing a heart attack are:
- Family history of heart attack, which may indicate genetic predisposition; Age over 40 years; High levels of stress; Diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol, especially if not treated correctly; Overweight; Smoking.
Although these people are more predisposed, anyone can develop a heart attack, so in the presence of signs and symptoms that indicate this situation, it is very important to go to the emergency room for confirmation and treatments as soon as possible.
Main symptoms of fulminant infarction
Although it can appear without any prior warning, fulminant infarction can cause symptoms, which may appear days before and not just at the time of the attack. Some of the most common include:
- Pain, feeling of heaviness or burning of the chest, which can be localized or radiate to the arm or jaw; Feeling of indigestion; Shortness of breath; Tiredness with cold sweat.
The intensity and type of symptom that arise vary according to the severity of the lesion in the myocardium, which is the heart muscle, but also according to people's personal characteristics, since it is known that women and diabetics have a tendency to present quieter heart attacks. Know what they are and how the symptoms of a heart attack in women can be different.
What to do in fulminant infarction
Until the treatment by the doctor in the emergency room is done, it is possible to help a person with a fulminant infarction to occur, and it is recommended to call an SAMU ambulance by calling 192, or take the victim to the hospital immediately.
While waiting for the ambulance, it is important to calm the person down and leave him / her in a calm and cool place, always checking the consciousness and the presence of pulse beats and breathing movements. If the person has a heartbeat or breathing arrest, it is possible to have a cardiac massage on the person, as shown in the following video:
How fulminant treatment is done
The treatment of fulminant infarction is done at the hospital, and the doctor recommends the use of medicines to improve blood circulation, such as aspirin, in addition to surgical procedures to restore the passage of blood to the heart, such as catheterization.
If the infarction leads to cardiac arrest, the medical team will initiate a cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedure, with cardiac massage and, if necessary, use of a defibrillator, as a way of trying to save the patient's life.
In addition, after recovery, it is important to start treatment for physical capacity rehabilitation after the infarction, with physical therapy, after the cardiologist's release. Check out more details on how to treat acute myocardial infarction.
How to prevent a heart attack
To reduce the risk of suffering a heart attack, healthy lifestyle habits are recommended, such as eating properly giving preference to the consumption of vegetables, grains, cereals, fruits, vegetables and lean meats, such as grilled chicken breast, for example.
In addition, it is recommended to practice some type of physical activity regularly, such as a 30-minute walk at least 3 times a week. Another important tip is to drink plenty of water and avoid stress, taking time to rest. Check out our tips to reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke for anyone.
Also watch the following video and learn what to eat to prevent a heart attack:
