Left Side Chest Pain: How Serious It Can Be?
Many people believe that heart attack is sudden and intense. Many heart attacks, on the other hand, begin with a modest discomfort in the centre of the chest. Even if you're not sure it's a heart attack, you should seek medical help as soon as possible. There are various sorts of cardiac crises that necessitate quick action. As a result, symptoms and indicators are critical, as early detection can save a person's life. Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the result of a fatal heart rhythm that occurs suddenly and unexpectedly (sudden cardiac arrest). It is the biggest cause of "natural mortality" in the United States, killing over 295,000 adults each year. Half of all heart disease deaths are caused by SCD. It is most common in individuals in their mid-30s to mid-40s, and men are affected twice as often as women.
Cardiac Emergencies
Heart attack:
When the blood supply to the heart is choked off, heart attack occurs. The most common cause of a blockage is a build-up of fat, cholesterol, and other chemicals in the arteries that supply the heart, forming a plaque (coronary arteries). A plaque can break and generate a clot, obstructing blood flow. Parts of the heart muscle can be damaged or destroyed if blood flow is disrupted.
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA):
The sudden cessation of heart function, respiration, and awareness is known as sudden cardiac arrest. An issue with your heart's electrical system causes the disorder, which affects your heart's pumping action and stops blood flow to your body. A heart attack is not the same as sudden cardiac arrest, which occurs when blood supply to a part of the heart is halted. An electrical disruption caused by a heart attack, on the other hand, can result in sudden cardiac arrest. If not treated right away, sudden cardiac arrest can be fatal. Survival is achievable with quick and effective medical intervention.
Angina attack or unstable angina:
Angina is caused by a lack of blood flow to the heart. It is a serious condition. Squeezing, pressure, heaviness, tightness, or discomfort in the chest are common symptoms of angina. Angina can be a sudden pain that necessitates medical attention or a long-term ache that responds to medication. Angina can be difficult to identify from other types of chest pain, such as indigestion discomfort, despite its widespread prevalence. Consult a doctor right away if you're having unexplained chest pain.
Symptoms of Cardiac emergencies:
Chest pain
The symptoms of chest pain might be deceiving. It is a subjective discomfort felt by a person, which can be caused by cardiac or non-cardiac causes. The most prominent sign is crushing chest pain, although not all heart attacks start with it. In fact, some heart attacks are followed by no symptoms. Diabetes patients are more likely to experience it. Mild chest pain and discomfort might occur while doing activities or while resting.
Dyspnoea (breathing difficulty)
Dyspnoea is generally a sign of heart failure, especially if the person has difficulty breathing while lying down.
Palpitations
A beating in the chest or an awareness of rapid or missed heartbeats are common symptoms of palpitations. A wide range of cardiac arrhythmias can induce these symptoms (abnormal heart beating).
Loss of consciousness
It's possible that reduced perfusion to the brain is causing sudden dizziness, vertigo, or temporary loss of consciousness accompanied by weakness. Arrhythmias including transient asystole (cardiac arrest), ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia (life-threatening irregular heartbeat), and bradycardia (slow pulse rate) can also be the culprits in such patients.
Some other signs of Cardiac emergency are:
- Tachycardia (fast heart rate)
- Low blood pressure
- Bluish discolouration seen in extremities
- Profuse sweating
- Swelling of the feet
- Loss of responsiveness
- Absence of normal breathing
Level 1 Cardiac Emergency Care Centre- Medicover Hospitals:
Medicover Hospitals has opened a Level 1 cardiac emergency care centre at Hi-Tec City, as part of a unique initiative to reduce sudden cardiac mortality through cardiac excellence. The new facility is expected to increase the survival rate of patients suffering from severe cardiac crises by at least 80%. The goal of the level one cardiac emergency care facility is to reduce the number of people who die suddenly from acute heart stroke. Heart treatments will be provided 24*7, with on-site heart pumps, mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices, and cardiac expert teams.
In cardiac emergencies, 90% of the patients present in a stable scenario. Patient blood pressure will be normal, and their heart's pumping function will be normal. Hemodynamically, these patients are stable. As a result, performing surgeries on these patients is safe, and their procedure-related problems and mortality are lower. Additionally, these patients frequently do well and can leave the hospital within 48 to 72 hours. If their blood pressure is low and their heart-pumping is inadequate, 10% of patients have a negative reaction during or after the surgery. The treatment team can help you have the best chance of surviving and recovering from a critical diagnosis by quickly assessing you and starting therapy. The level one cardiac emergency care at Medicover Hospitals is the first of its kind.
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