Heart Attack

Definition

A heart attack is when low blood flow causes the heart to starve for oxygen. Heart muscle dies or becomes permanently damaged. Your doctor calls this a myocardial infarction.

Alternative Names

Myocardial infarction; MI; Acute MI

Causes:-

Most heart attacks are caused by a blood clot that blocks one of the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries bring blood and oxygen to the heart. If the blood flow is blocked, the heart starves for oxygen and heart cells die.

A clot most often forms in a coronary artery that has become narrow because of the build-up of a substance called plaque along the artery walls. Sometimes, the plaque cracks and triggers a blood clot to form.

Occasionally, sudden overwhelming stress can trigger a heart attack.

Risk factors for heart attack and coronary artery disease include:

  • Bad genes (hereditary factors)
  • Being male
  • Diabetes
  • Getting older
  • High blood pressure
  • Smoking
  • Too much fat in your diet
  • Unhealthy cholesterol levels, especially high LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and low HDL (“good”) cholesterol

Higher-than-normal levels of homocysteine, C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen may also increase your risk for a heart attack. Homocysteine is an amino acid. C-reactive protein and fibrinogen are linked to inflammation. Fibrinogen is also involved in blood clotting.

Symptoms-

 Chest pain is a major symptom of heart attack. However, some people may have little or no chest pain, especially the elderly and those with diabetes. This is called a silent heart attack.

The pain may be felt in only one part of the body or move from your chest to your arms, shoulder, neck, teeth, jaw, belly area, or back.

The pain can be severe or mild. It can feel like:

  • Squeezing or heavy pressure
  • A tight band around the chest
  • Something heavy sitting on your chest
  • Bad indigestion

Pain usually lasts longer than 20 minutes. Rest and a medicine called nitroglycerine do not completely relieve the pain of a heart attack.

Other symptoms of a heart attack include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Anxiety
  • Cough
  • Fainting
  • Lightheadedness – dizziness
  • Palpitations (feeling like your heart is beating too fast)
  • Sweating, which may be extreme

Yogic cure:-

           [1]Shatkarma                                 {Purificatory techniques}

                           {a}  Jal- neti  {Nose wash by water}

                           {b} Kapalbhati  { Lungs & brain wash by breathing}

[2] Yogasanas                                           {Posture}

{a}  Sarvangasana                         {Shoulder Stand}

{b} Siddhasana                              {Perfect}

{c}  Badhya –padmasana              {Rased lotus}

{d}  Paschimottanasana                {Posterior  Strech}

{e}  Shavasana                            {Corpse}

{f}  Yog nidra                             {Yogic sleep}

{g} Setu bandhasana,                  {Bridge posture}

{h} Tadasana                                  {Palmyra}

                               {i} Merudandasanchalanasana {Spinal moving Posture}

                               {j} Bhujangasana                            { Cobra}   

                               {k} Ardha shalbhasana                 {Lying locust}       

                               {l} Balasana

                               {m} Vajrasana                                  {Adamantine}        

                               {n} Vakrasana

                               {o} Katichakrasana                        {Lumber wheel}

                               {P} Ekpadotanasana                    

                               {q} Ardhapadmasana                  {Semi lotus}

[3]Pranayama                       {Body-mind energising breathing practices}

{a} Nadi Shodhan

{b} Ujjai                      {Hissing pranayama}

                                 {c} AnulomVilom     {Alternate nostrilar pranayama}

                                 {d} Deep Breathing  without kumbhak.

        [4]Bandhas:-                                                {Bands}

{a} Uddiyana bandha                 {Abdominal lock}

       [5] Mudras:-                                                       {Finger –posture}

{a} Mritsanjivi mudra

{b} Vayu mudra

{c} Apan vayu mudra

[6] Dhayan                                                        {Meditation}

 

             

Scientific  explanation:

             Cardiovascular fitness A 50-minute hatha yoga routine burns 2.2 to 3.6 kcal/min, the equivalent a very slow walk. Except in persons who are very deconditioned, this type of yoga practice alone is unlikely to have a significant training effect on cardiovascular fitness, pulmonary function, body composition, or fat metabolism. More vigorous forms of power or hatha yoga require a higher energy output, depending on the method of teaching and selection of asanas (postures). One recent study demonstrated a 7% increase in VO2 max after previously sedentary subjects practiced 8 weeks of yoga training. However, the general consensus is that yoga does not provide the significant cardiovascular stimulus necessary to enhance cardiovascular function.

 Precautions:

                   Chakrasana, Sarvagasana should be avoided.

Home-remedies:-

  •  Follow a lacto-vegetarian diet low in calories and sodium with emphasis on fruits, vegetables, seeds and whole-grains.
  • Sunflower, safflower and corn oil reduce cholesterol levels.
  • Yogurt, Alfa Alfa, garlic, fruits like apples (for weakness of heart), pineapples, pomegranate, custard apples and oranges, and coconut water tone the heart.
  • Grapes are useful against heart attack, heart pain and palpitation.
  • Teaspoon of raw onion juice first thing in the morning will normalize blood cholesterol levels.

Vitamin E found in outer leaves of cabbage, green vegetables and whole meal products improves circulation and function of the heart.

  • Vitamin C found in whole grains and others are important for heart and circulatory disorders.
  • 1 Tablespoon of honey after food prevents all heart troubles, palpitations and cardiac pain.
  • Gooseberry is considered effective home remedy.
  • Vitamin C in citrus fruits prevents heart attacks and guards against high blood cholesterol. And is effective against blood fat and cholesterol levels due to stress, anger, fear and disappointment.
  • Diet should be followed as below-
  • On rising – Fresh fruit juice of grapes, pineapple, apple or orange or warm water with lemon juice and honey.
  • Breakfast – Skimmed or soy milk, yogurt, 1 or 2 slices of whole meal bread and fresh fruit.
  • Mid-morning – coconut water or fresh fruit juice.
  • Lunch – 2 slices of whole meal bread, vegetable salad with garlic, fresh grapes and curd.
  • Mid-afternoon – Fruit juice and 2 whole meal biscuit.
  • Dinner – Soup or fresh fruit, whole wheat bread and 2 lightly cooked vegetables.
  • Drink pure water, get fresh air, and proper rest and sleep. Moderate exercising and yoga is beneficial.

Further suggestion:-

The early morning can be ideally used for taking a walk while keeping hands in Mritsanjivini Mudra. It will not only help your heart, but will prepare you for the day better by charging up your circulation and metabolism.

  • Yoga and meditation for at least 30 minutes, three or more times per week helps strengthen the heat. All studies suggest its good effect on coronary behavior.
  • Nadi Sodhana Pranayama is an excellent exercise for heart patients and can be done virtually anywhere.
  • Increase fiber and reduce fat intake in your diet. Fiber is veggie delight and found only in plants – fruits, vegetables and grains, Fiber helps lower blood cholesterol and people who eat more fiber have a considerably lower risk of heart diseases.
  • Master the stress response. Learn to stay calm so that you don’t lose your temper and increase you blood pressure. Deep breathing is a good way to control anger and to relax and should be always restored to while feeling stress.
  • Make yourself feel free and happy, keep smiling always. Even 5 minutes of laughter keeps our stress at lowest possible level.

1. Don’t smoke or use tobacco

Smoking or using tobacco of any kind is one of the most significant risk factors for developing heart disease. Chemicals in tobacco can damage your heart and blood vessels, leading to narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Atherosclerosis can ultimately lead to a heart attack.

Carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke replaces some of the oxygen in your blood. This increases your blood pressure and heart rate by forcing your heart to work harder to supply enough oxygen. Women who smoke and take birth control pills are at greater risk of having a heart attack or stroke than are those who don’t do either because both smoking and taking birth control pills increase the risk of blood clots.

When it comes to heart disease prevention, no amount of smoking is safe. But, the more you smoke, the greater your risk. Smokeless tobacco and low-tar and low-nicotine cigarettes also are risky, as is exposure to secondhand smoke. Even so-called “social smoking” — smoking only while at a bar or restaurant with friends — is dangerous and increases the risk of heart disease.

The good news, though, is that when you quit smoking, your risk of heart disease drops almost to that of a nonsmoker in about five years. And no matter how long or how much you smoked, you’ll start reaping rewards as soon as you quit.

2. Exercise for 30 minutes on most days of the week

Getting some regular, daily exercise can reduce your risk of fatal heart disease. And when you combine physical activity with other lifestyle measures, such as maintaining a healthy weight, the payoff is even greater.

Physical activity helps you control your weight and can reduce your chances of developing other conditions that may put a strain on your heart, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

Try getting at least 30 to 60 minutes of moderately intense physical activity most days of the week. However, even shorter amounts of exercise offer heart benefits, so if you can’t meet those guidelines, don’t give up. You can even get the same health benefits if you break up your workout time into three 10-minute sessions most days of the week.

And remember that activities, such as gardening, housekeeping, taking the stairs and walking the dog all count toward your total. You don’t have to exercise strenuously to achieve benefits, but you can see bigger benefits by increasing the intensity, duration and frequency of your workouts.

3. Eat a heart-healthy diet

Eating a healthy diet can reduce your risk of heart disease. Two examples of heart-healthy food plans include the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan and the Mediterranean diet.

A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains can help protect your heart. Beans, other low-fat sources of protein and certain types of fish also can reduce your risk of heart disease.

Limiting certain fats you eat also is important. Of the types of fat — saturated, polyunsaturated, monounsaturated and trans fat — saturated fat and trans fat are the ones to try to limit or avoid. Try to keep saturated fat to no more than 10 percent of your daily calories. And, try to keep trans fat out of your diet altogether.

Major sources of saturated fat include:

  • Red meat
  • Dairy products
  • Coconut and palm oils

Sources of trans fat include:

  • Deep-fried fast foods
  • Bakery products
  • Packaged snack foods
  • Margarines
  • Crackers

If the nutrition label has the term “partially hydrogenated,” it means that product contains trans fat.

Heart-healthy eating isn’t all about cutting back, though. Healthy fats from plant-based sources, such as avocado, nuts, olives and olive oil, help your heart by lowering the bad type of cholesterol.

Most people need to add more fruits and vegetables to their diet — with a goal of five to 10 servings a day. Eating that many fruits and vegetables can not only help prevent heart disease but also may help prevent cancer and improve diabetes.

Eating several servings a week of certain fish, such as salmon and mackerel, may decrease your risk of heart attack.

Following a heart-healthy diet also means keeping an eye on how much alcohol you drink. If you choose to drink alcohol, it’s better for your heart to do so in moderation. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women of all ages and men older than age 65, and up to two drinks a day for men age 65 and younger. At that moderate level, alcohol can have a protective effect on your heart. More than that becomes a health hazard.

4. Maintain a healthy weight

Being overweight, especially if you carry excess weight around your middle, ups your risk of heart disease. Excess weight can lead to conditions that increase your chances of heart disease — high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

One way to see if your weight is healthy is to calculate your body mass index (BMI), which considers your height and weight in determining whether you have a healthy or unhealthy percentage of body fat. BMI numbers 25 and higher are associated with higher blood fats, higher blood pressure, and an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

The BMI is a good, but imperfect guide. Muscle weighs more than fat, for instance, and women and men who are very muscular and physically fit can have high BMIs without added health risks. Because of that, waist circumference also is a useful tool to measure how much abdominal fat you have:

  • Men are considered overweight if their waist measurement is greater than 40 inches (101.6 centimeters, or cm).
  • Women are overweight if their waist measurement is greater than 35 inches (88.9 cm).

Even a small weight loss can be beneficial. Reducing your weight by just 5 to 10 percent can help decrease your blood pressure, lower your blood cholesterol level and reduce your risk of diabetes.

5. Get enough quality sleep

Sleep deprivation can do more than leave you yawning throughout the day; it can harm your health. People who don’t get enough sleep have a higher risk of obesity, high blood pressure, heart attack, diabetes and depression.

Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each night. If you wake up without your alarm clock and you feel refreshed, you’re getting enough sleep. But, if you’re constantly reaching for the snooze button and it’s a struggle to get out of bed, you need more sleep each night.

Make sleep a priority in your life. Set a sleep schedule and stick to it by going to bed and waking up at the same times each day. Keep your bedroom dark and quiet, so it’s easier to sleep.

If you feel like you’ve been getting enough sleep, but you’re still tired throughout the day, ask your doctor if you need to be evaluated for sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea blocks the airflow through your windpipe and causes you to stop breathing temporarily. Signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include snoring loudly; gasping for air during sleep; waking up several times during the night; waking up with a headache, sore throat or dry mouth; and memory or learning problems.

Treatments for obstructive sleep apnea include losing weight or using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device that keeps your airway open while you sleep. CPAP treatment appears to lower the risk of heart disease from sleep apnea.

6. Get regular health screenings

High blood pressure and high cholesterol can damage your heart and blood vessels. But without testing for them, you probably won’t know whether you have these conditions. Regular screening can tell you what your numbers are and whether you need to take action.

  • Blood pressure.Regular blood pressure screenings usually start in childhood. Adults should have their blood pressure checked at least every two years. You may need more-frequent checks if your numbers aren’t ideal or if you have other risk factors for heart disease. Optimal blood pressure is less than 120/80 millimeters of mercury.
  • Cholesterol levels.Adults should have their cholesterol measured at least once every five years starting at age 20 if they have risk factors for heart disease, such as obesity or high blood pressure. If you’re healthy, you can start having your cholesterol screened at age 35 for men and 45 for women. Some children may need their blood cholesterol tested if they have a strong family history of heart disease.
  • Diabetes screening.Since diabetes is a risk factor for developing heart disease, you may want to consider being screened for diabetes. Talk to your doctor about when you should have a fasting blood sugar test to check for diabetes. Depending on your risk factors, such as being overweight or having a family history of diabetes, your doctor may recommend early screening for diabetes. If your weight is normal and you don’t have other risk factors for type 2 diabetes, the American Diabetes Association recommends starting screening at age 45, and then retesting every three years.

Yogi Yoganand