Pulse check: How to stop a Heart Attack before it starts

Your heart is more than just a muscle — it’s the tireless drummer of your existence, beating rhythm into every moment of your life. However, this essential organ is frequently pushed to the limit in a world driven by fast food, faster lives, and silent stress. Only 25% of the more than 35 lakh heart attack victims in India receive life-saving clot-busting medications in a timely manner, and only 5% have an angioplasty. This indicates that about 75% of people do not receive treatment, frequently as a result of ignorance, a delayed reaction, or restricted access to care. These are wake-up calls, not just numbers. To protect your heart health, this blog explains heart attack symptoms, what causes heart attack, how to diagnose them, and what treatments are available.

What is a Heart Attack? Understanding the silent emergency of the Heart

A heart attack occurs when the blood supply to a part of the heart muscle is drastically reduced or completely blocked, depriving it of oxygen and nutrients. This typically happens due to a blockage in the coronary arteries — the vessels responsible for nourishing the heart. The most common culprit is atherosclerosis, a condition in which fatty deposits or plaque build-up along the artery walls. Over time, these plaques can rupture, triggering the formation of blood clots that can abruptly cut off blood flow. When this happens, the affected portion of the heart muscle begins to die — a life-threatening emergency that demands immediate medical attention.

But a heart attack doesn’t develop overnight. It's often the result of years of silent damage caused by poor lifestyle habits, unmanaged health conditions like diabetes or hypertension, chronic stress, smoking, and even genetic predisposition. Understanding these underlying mechanisms isn’t just medical knowledge — it’s a wake-up call. By learning how heart attacks happen, we empower ourselves to take preventive steps early: from routine check-ups and healthy eating to stress management and regular exercise. After all, protecting your heart begins with knowing how and why it breaks down.

What are the causes of Heart Attack?

Heart disease is caused by a number of causes and ultimately raises the chance of a heart attack. A person’s lifestyle and other health conditions can have a different impact on the reasons of their heart attack.

·       Coronary Artery Disease: The main offender is coronary artery disease also referred to as atherosclerosis, which results in the gradual narrowing of the coronary blood channels due to plaque build-up.

·       Age: Age is another factor that affects it; as one gets older, the risk is likely to increase for men at age 45 and women at age 55.

·       High blood pressure: The arterial walls are continuously subjected to high pressure, which erodes them and promotes the development of plaque.

·       High Cholesterol: Elevated LDL (bad cholesterol) causes plaque to accumulate more quickly, narrowing blood vessels.

·       Diabetes: Due to the type of blood vessel damage that diabetes causes, people with diabetes are more prone to develop heart disease.

·       Smoking: The chemicals released into the bloodstream by cigarette smoking damage the walls of blood vessels, quicken the heartbeat, and promote the development of blood clots.

·       Obesity: Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are among the numerous heart disease- related risks that are linked to being overweight.

·       Lifestyle: Obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are among the diseases that are brought on by a lack of physical exercise, which also damages the heart muscle.

·       Stress: The heart experiences pressure from stress because it raises blood pressure and heart rate.

·       Hereditary: Given that cardiac problems are known to run in families, it is crucial to keep in mind that family history may put a person at risk.

Heart Attack symptoms: Warning signs you should never ignore

Knowing the signs of a heart attack is essential if you want to seek medical attention right away. Although each person’s symptoms may differ, typical signs include:

·       Chest pain: The center or left side of your chest may feel compressed or squeezed if you have chest pain or discomfort.

·       Upper body discomfort: You may experience discomfort that travels from your chest to your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw or back.

·       Shortness of breathing: Breathing difficulties, particularly when sleeping or performing mild activities like brief walks, are referred to as shortness of breath.

·       Cold sweat: When you start exhaling without cause and experience anxiety at the same time.

·       Dizziness and Nausea: Feelings of light-headedness or unsettled stomach are known as nausea and dizziness.

Heart Attack diagnosis: Tests that could save your life

A comprehensive physical examination and a careful review of the patient’s medical history are the initial steps in diagnosing a heart attack. Physicians are better able to evaluate risk and severity when they are aware of pre-existing medical problems, symptoms, and lifestyle factors.

·       Lipid profile: This test determines your blood’s levels of triglycerides and cholesterol. One of the main causes of heart attacks in plaque accumulation in the arteries, which can be brought on by high LDL (bad cholesterol).

·       Blood glucose test: Over time, uncontrolled blood sugar levels, particularly in diabetes, can harm the heart and blood vessels. This test aids in managing issues associated to diabetes and determining your risk.

·       ECG (Electrocardiogram): An ECG captures the electrical activity of the heart and can identify irregular rhythms, decreased blood flow to the heart muscle, and indications of a recent or previous heart attack.

·       Calcium Coronary Artery (CAC) Scan: Calcium deposits in coronary arteries are found using this specialist CT scan. Plaque accumulation, a powerful indicator of the likelihood of a future heart attack, is indicated by a high score.

At Mahajan Imaging & Labs, we provide precise and patient-focused care by centralizing all of the afore-mentioned diagnostic tests. Whether you need a simple ECG or an advanced coronary calcium scan, Mahajan Imaging & Labs is your trusted partner in heart health across Delhi-NCR.

Final Thoughts

A heart attack often strikes without warning —but with the right knowledge, preventative steps, and timely diagnosis, it doesn’t have to become a life-altering event. Each test, from blood sugar and cholesterol monitoring to sophisticated imaging such as ECGs and coronary calcium scans, is essential to heart protection. Knowing the warning signals and taking quick action can save lives.