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Every 34 seconds, an American has a heart attack. While there are some factors that influence whether or not you will have one, there are many steps you can take to lower the risk. If you or a loved one is showing signs of a heart attack, it’s vital they receive immediate medical care. Kona Community Hospital in Kealakekua, HI, wants you to know who’s at risk for a heart attack, what the signs and symptoms are, and what you need to do if you or a loved one needs immediate medical treatment.

Here’s a brief rundown from the premier Kona hospital.

What Is a Heart Attack?

Myocardial infarctions — sometimes called “heart attacks” — occur when the blood supply to the heart is blocked. This is usually temporary and often only affects one part of the heart, but it is a very serious medical event. The heart is a muscle, and it relies on the oxygen being carried by the blood to work properly. The longer the blood supply is blocked, the more damage will be done to the muscle itself.

Sometimes, plaques that have built up in blood vessels can cause blockages. Blood clots, too, can disrupt blood flow and cause heart attacks. When someone is having a heart attack, doctors use special tests to determine what type — either NON-ST Segment (called NSTEMI) or ST-Segment (STEMI). NSTEMI heart attacks are more serious because they involve a more prolonged blockage.

Risk Factors

There are several risk factors for heart attacks, many of which you can address by altering lifestyle habits. While your family history, genetics, and age may not be something you can change, it doesn’t mean you’re doomed to have a heart attack. Many risk factors are things you can control through changes to your diet, exercise regimen, and regular checkups with your doctor, who may prescribe medication to help control them. Risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, smoking, and a lack a physical activity.

Heart Attack Symptoms

Kona hospital Many people think a heart attack always involves chest pain. But heart attacks often present several symptoms, and in women especially, it may not always feel like chest pain.

While chest pain is a symptom you should never ignore, there are several other symptoms that can indicate a heart attack. These include jaw, neck, shoulder, and/or back pain; lightheadedness, weakness, and fainting; shortness of breath or trouble breathing; arm pain; and nausea, vomiting, or an upset stomach.

Treatment

If you or a loved one is showing signs of a heart attack, immediate emergency medical attention is required. Heart attacks can be treated with medication and life-saving interventions like angioplasty. Sometimes, surgeries may be indicated, and many patients will go on to have cardiac rehabilitation services.

Kona Community Hospital’s emergency physician services are fully equipped to diagnose and manage heart attacks, and the Kona hospital offers the inpatient and outpatient services you or your loved one might need if suffering from a heart attack.

Kona Community Hospital is proud to be an American Heart Association Authorized Training Center. As such, they offer emergency life support classes to both health care providers and the community. To learn more, visit the local Kona hospital online. You can also connect with them on Facebook.

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