Heart Attack

Pathology

A myocardial infraction or a heart attack is permanent damage to the heart muscle. It occurs when the flow of oxygen-rich blood to heart muscle gets suddenly blocked by which the heart can’t get oxygen. Various symptoms include pain or discomfort in one or both the arms that spread to shoulders, upper back, neck or jaw, a general sense of anxiety, shortness of breath, stomach or abdominal pain, weakness and overwhelming fatigue, swelling of the ankles and lower legs, etc.

Treatment

A heart attack is a medical emergency so should call the ambulance. If the causality is not allergic to aspirin and its easily available than give them a tablet ideally 300mg to slowly chew and swallow while waiting for the ambulance to arrive. The aspirin will help to reduce the risk of heart attack by thinning the blood. The two main treatments include: using medication to dissolve blood clots, surgery to restore blood to the heart.

Statistics

More than 310 people per every 100,000 die of cardiovascular diseases each year in Germany. The OECD average was 299 per 100,000. Men are at a greater risk of death than women, with 374 men dying for every 100,000, compared to 269 for every 100,000 among women. Germany also sees fewer people dying of heart disease at young ages, with statistics suggesting that deaths occur more often after age 70.