As per the World Health Organization, cardiovascular disease claimed the lives of approximately 17.9 million individuals in 2019, accounting for 32% of total global fatalities. It stands as the primary reason for mortality in the United States and a prominent cause of death worldwide.
They can come on suddenly and seriously, affecting other areas of the cardiovascular system, such as the heart valves, brain, and blood vessels to the heart. It is not the same for all heart diseases, as some may require long-term treatment.
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, aged 24, experienced a cardiac arrest and fell down on the field during the first quarter of the game between the Bills and Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night, as stated by his team. The exact reason for his cardiac arrest remains uncertain.
Cardiac arrest occurs due to electrical disruptions that lead to the heart abruptly ceasing to beat correctly.
If CPR is administered promptly and a defibrillator is used to deliver an electric shock to the heart, thereby reinstating a regular heart rhythm within a matter of minutes, cardiac arrest can potentially be reversed, as stated by the American Heart Association. Failure to take immediate action can lead to rapid fatality.
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The AHA reported that more than 350,000 instances of heart attacks occur outside of healthcare facilities in the United States each year.
A sudden, unforeseen loss of heart function also leads to an abrupt loss of breathing and awareness.
Cardiac arrest can result in a heart attack, which can occur due to various heart conditions. However, it is important to note that a cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack.
During a cardiac cycle, at a crucial moment, an interruption of heart rhythm following a strike to the region directly above the heart can result in commotio cordis, another critical situation that can result in cardiac arrest.
The rate of survival has risen with the aid of automated external defibrillators. Generally, two to three occurrences annually, it is the primary reason for fatalities in youth baseball in the United States, as stated by the American Heart Association. It predominantly happens in males and young individuals during athletic activities, although it is infrequent.
What is a myocardial infarction?
“Myocardial infarction,” also known as a heart attack, is commonly described by doctors as a condition in which the heart muscle is damaged due to a lack of blood supply. Unlike cardiac arrest, a heart attack is a problem that occurs when blood circulation is cut off or blocked in some way.
Blockages primarily contribute to the accumulation of plaque in the arteries. Plaque is formed when fat, calcium, and various other substances in the bloodstream combine with cholesterol. The occurrence of heart attacks is attributed to blockages.
A blood vessel can experience a complete obstruction of its blood circulation due to sizable clots. The formation of a blood clot can subsequently lead to a rupture, which then solidifies into plaque through the amalgamation of these components.
Dr. Nieca Goldberg, medical director of Atria New York City and clinical associate professor of medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, previously informed CNN that the primary factors that we consistently address are smoking, insufficient physical activity, diabetes, hypertension, elevated cholesterol levels, and a familial predisposition to heart attacks. Individuals who possess a family history of heart attacks, elevated cholesterol levels, hypertension, diabetes, lack of exercise, and smoking are at a heightened risk for experiencing heart attacks.
According to the American Heart Association, in rare cases of a heart attack, there can also be a rupture in the artery. Additionally, another infrequent factor that can contribute to a heart attack is a constriction triggered by tobacco or potentially illegal substances, like cocaine, which impairs the functioning of the heart muscle.
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Immediate emergency medical assistance can often help prevent a severe outcome. While they do not automatically result in death, heart attacks can be fatal.
An ambulance is equipped to offer treatment on the way to the hospital. Goldberg explained the importance of taking an ambulance to the hospital instead of catching a ride with a friend or family member, saying, “Don’t wait. Call 911 if you think someone is having a heart attack.”
Discomfort or agony in the chest are typical indicators of a heart attack; in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach, discomfort in other regions of the upper body, including pain; and difficulty breathing. Chilly perspiration, queasiness or dizziness are other potential signals.
In general, heart attacks are more prevalent than cardiac arrest in the United States.
What is cardiac insufficiency?
Heart failure is a condition that occurs when the heart, essentially a pump, cannot effectively push blood out through the circulatory system and arteries to other organs and tissues in the body.
The congestion of tissues in the body leads to a traffic jam of blood, as it flows from the heart through the arteries and returns back to the heart through the veins. This congestion causes the blood flow from the heart through the arteries to slow down and back up, while the blood flow from the heart through the veins is also affected.
When pulmonary edema occurs, fluid collects in the lungs, interfering with breathing. It can cause even more swelling, and also impairs the kidneys’ ability to dispose of sodium and water. Although edema can happen anywhere in the body, it usually results in swelling in the ankles and legs.
The conditions that can lead to heart failure include coronary artery disease, obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure, which result in the buildup of plaque in the walls of the arteries, narrowing them and making it difficult for blood to pump.
A medical condition that needs to be prevented is heart failure, cardiac arrest, or a heart-threatening attack, which is not immediately life-threatening but can be life-threatening.