Diagnosis of Heart Attack

A diagnosis of heart attack can be a frightening experience. What do you do now? How will this affect the rest of your life and are you in mortal danger are all common enough questions. If you are concerned about your heart health or have recently received this diagnosis, there are a few things you should know.

Self-Diagnosis

It is important that everyone understand the warning signs and symptoms of a heart attack, particularly those with a family history of cardiac disease. That being said you should never attempt to self-diagnose a heart attack!You could assume or diagnose incorrectly leaving your health in jeopardy. So, understand the symptoms as outlined below but trust trained medical professionals to make the final diagnosis.

Symptoms:

• Tight feeling in chest

• Pain in left arm

• Indigestion like symptoms

• Sweating profusely

• Nausea

• Unexplained fatigue

• Anxiety

• Dizziness or fainting

Any of these symptoms could be the forerunner of an attack however; diagnosis of heart attack requires further testing using sophisticated medical equipment. Keep in mind that you can have a heart attack following one symptom or none at all!

Testing

If you present yourself to the emergency room or your family physician with any of the above symptoms, you are going to need a myriad of tests for a conclusive diagnosis. Your physician will likely begin with blood work and the following tests:

• Cholesterol levels- high levels of bad cholesterol can tell your doctor how high your risk is

• C-reactive protein- CRP is a protein released by the liver as an anti-inflammatory. High levels point to an injury or infection in the body, but cannot pinpoint it exactly.

• Fibrinogen- this is a clotting substance that naturally occurs in your blood, but too much can indicate a possible blood clot which could result in stroke or heart attack

• Brain natriuretic peptide- BNP is produced by your heart and blood vessels to eliminate fluid relax blood vessels and move sodium into the urine. When you have a heart attack, BNP is secreted at higher levels to ease the stress on the heart.

Physical Tests:

If you have shown classic signs of a heart attack and blood tests are backing up your symptoms there are a few physical tests that are administered to determine the exact location of the problem.

• Electrocardiogram- the most well-known test for heart related issues is the ECG or EKG. This test monitors and records the electrical activity in the heart and can detect irregular heartbeats, areas of damage and even heart enlargement.

• Nuclear Scan- this test is performed by injecting a small amount of radioactive material and monitoring how well the heart takes it up. This will illuminate areas of damage as well as give information on blood flow levels.

• Angiography- when blockage is suspected this test is used to confirm where and how large the blockage is. A tiny catheter tube is threaded through an artery and into the heart, where dye is administered. As the heart pumps, the dye will highlight function or lack of.

After a Heart Attack

Diagnosis of a heart attack is going to mean some changes in your life. What those particular changes are will depend a great deal on the underlying cause of your attack. For example if your main issue is related to lifestyle choices such as smoking or alcohol consumption, your physician will likely advise you to quit. Actually, if you smoke you will likely be advised to quit regardless of the heart attack cause.

Since each situation is different, the exact steps you should take after diagnosis of a heart attack will vary and should be carefully monitored by your health care professional. Here are a few changes you could make after a heart attack:

• Get more exercise! Exercise increases blood flow, strengthens muscles and can even bust depression.

• Medication- if you have high blood pressure, clotting issues or diabetes your doctor will want to get it under control, many times via medication.

• Healthy Diet- what you eat is vitally important to heart health. Low cholesterol diets are very common for heart attack survivors.

• Lower Stress- stress can lead to depression, anxiety and heart attack. Find ways to minimize your stress levels in order to live a longer, healthier and happier life!

• Lose Weight- being overweight leaves you at risk of heart attack, stroke and many other health issues. Losing just 10% of your overall weight can have positive health effects.

Final Thoughts

As scary as a diagnosis of heart attack may be, it is no reason to give up on life. With proper medical treatment and perhaps some lifestyle adjustments, you can lead a full, healthy and productive life after an attack. Carefully follow the plan your physician outlines for you if you want the best results.

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