Heart Attack

ENGLISH / MALTESE

What is a heart attack?

A myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, results from a complete blockage of one of the main arteries that supply blood to your heart. These arteries are referred to as the coronary arteries, and the build-up of fatty plaque inside these arteries is referred to as coronary artery disease (CAD). 

The blockage occurs once a fatty deposit detaches from the artery wall and a blood clot forms. This blocks the coronary artery and limits the amount of blood and therefore, oxygen, which is essential for the heart to function. This is a sinister disease. 

“In Malta, 1 in 5 people die from a heart attack.”

What makes me more at risk of getting a heart attack? 

  1. High cholesterol levels

  2. High blood pressure

  3. Smoking

  4. Diabetes

  5. Physical inactivity

  6. Obesity

  7. Alcohol consumption

  8. Family history of heart disease

  9. Older age

  10. Male gender 

What will I feel if I have a heart attack?

This varies from one person to the other, however, people usually present with:

  • Chest pain/discomfort which does not get better and occurs suddenly (most commonly left sided)

  • The pain may spread and involve your arms, neck, jaw, back or stomach

  • Other related symptoms include nausea & vomiting, sweating, dizziness, or shortness of breath.

Very rarely a patient may feel no pain and just feel unwell. This may occur in elderly or diabetic patients.

What do I do if I think I am experiencing a heart attack?

  • Call 112 for an ambulance

  • Ask for help from anyone around you 

  • Stay calm and wait for the ambulance to arrive

What will happen to me in hospital?

Various tests will be performed including:

  • Electrocardiogram (ECG): electronic recording of the heart which shows signs of an ongoing heart attack

  • Blood tests: troponin is a blood marker that may potentially indicate any damage to the heart muscle 

  • Echocardiogram: an ultrasound of the heart which may be used to assess heart function

The main aim of treatment for a heart attack is returning blood flow to the part of the heart that is being blocked off.  This can be done by different methods:

  • Coronary Angioplasty: Directly opens the blocked artery with a stent

  • Thrombolysis: A type of medicine is given through the vein to help the dissolve the clot

  • Coronary bypass surgery: Blood flow is restored by using another blood vessel to bypass the blocked artery

How do I recover following a heart attack? 

  • The outcome of a heart attack varies and is different in every patient. 

  • Some may recover completely, while others may suffer long term consequences due to damaged heart muscle.  

  • After a hospital stay, you are discharged home once you are healthy.

  • Several new medications are started which help prevent a second heart attack. 

  • You are referred for cardiac rehabilitation. This program helps patients improve their lifestyle and get healthier, therefore reducing their risk of suffering from a second heart attack. 

  • You may require emotional and psychological support following a heart attack; contact your family doctor or speak to your cardiologist for advice.

What can I do to reduce my risk of having a heart attack?

  1. Maintain a healthy diet

  2. Stop smoking- Local smoking cessation services are available, and you can always ask your family doctor for advice

  3. Control blood sugar levels (in the case of diabetic patients)

  4. Reduce alcohol consumption 

  5. Remain physically active - Taking the stairs instead of the lift, walking to local shops instead of taking the car. It is recommended to do around 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week

  6. Diagnose and control your high blood pressure

  7. Control cholesterol levels

  8. Maintain a healthy weight

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Remain physically active.

Take Home Messages

A heart attack is caused by a sudden blockage of blood supply to the heart.

Sudden, severe chest pain could represent a heart attack and should be treated as a medical emergency.

The recovery period following a heart attack is important as to avoid a second heart attack.

The best way to avoid a heart attack is to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

HELP AND SUPPORT

If you have any questions regarding our article, feel free to contact us on info@maltaheartfoundation.org or on our Facebook page.

This article was authored by Dr.Claire Attard and edited by Dr. Neil Grech, in collaboration with the Malta Heart Foundation and Maltese Cardiac Society.

Cardiac ConditionsMHF Admin - Matthew Farrugia