Discover what causes a heart attack and ways to support your cardiovascular health. The lack of blood flow is most commonly a result of a thrombus, or clot, in one of the two major coronary arteries lying along the outside surface of the heart. It is one of the leading causes of death in North America. Infarcts are classified according to the location, depth and severity of the damage.

Heart attack used to be considered a man’s health issue. Today, heart disease is the leading cause of death in postmenopausal women in North America. The signs and symptoms of a heart attack (see below) tend to be slightly different in women. Given the prevalence of cardiovascular events in women of all ages, education about these unique signs is necessary.

What Causes Heart Attacks?

Heart attack risk is increased based on numerous factors, including family history, diet and lifestyle. You are at a higher risk for heart disease, heart attacks and strokes if you have family members who have experienced these events. First, a diet high in saturated fats and low in fruits and vegetables harms heart health. Additionally, smoking or heavy alcohol use increases risk of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, and myocardial infarction. Some other common risk factors include lack of exercise and chronic stress.

What Are Some Signs & Symptoms of A Heart Attack?

The typical signs and symptoms of a heart attack include:

  • Pressure or crushing sensation in the centre of the chest, sometimes radiating to the jaw, shoulder or arm.
  • Sweating
  • Fatigue
  • Anxiety or feeling of impending doom
  • Increased heart rate
  • Increased respiration rate with or without shortness of breath
  • Pallor
  • Nausea or vomiting

* In elderly populations and WOMEN, there is often an absence of chest pain

Other signs/symptoms that are typically unique to women:

  • Indigestion or gastrointestinal upset
  • Unusual fatigue or feeling like one is going to faint
  • Sleep disturbance
  • Jaw pain

Note: take aspirin and go seek emergency med attn @ 1st sign to prevent permanent cardiac damage.

Heart Attack Support

Conventional Heart Attack Support

After a heart attack has been confirmed, the immediate goal of treatment is to quickly open the blocked artery and restore blood flow to the heart muscle. Thrombolytic (clot-dissolving/clot-breaking) medications are commonly prescribed. Following a heart attack, doctors commonly prescribe nitroglycerin. Moreover, they may recommend ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, cholesterol-lowering medications, and blood thinners. All of these medications come with their own warnings, potential interactions and side effects and should be used with a complete understanding of what they are being used for, what to expect in terms of side effects, and important deficiencies they may cause.

Natural Heart Attack Support

Nutrition

First and foremost, high-risk individuals should consistently follow a heart-healthy diet. These diets focus on vegetables and fruits, whole grains and lean proteins. Avoid saturated fats and trans fasts, deep fried foods, margarines, shortening and heating of polyunsaturated oils. Instead, prioritize healthy fats. For example, use high-quality olive oil and add it after cooking or before eating. If you must cook/fry with oil, use a non-hydrogenated coconut oil. Limit refined sugar. If you must sweeten food, use raw honey, maple syrup, agave nectar or sugar alternatives. Limit alcohol intake. Avoid processed foods, as they are high in nitrates and sodium and other artificial preservatives. Eat fish twice a week, and take a good quality fish oil when you aren’t consuming fish. Drink plenty of water.

Exercise

Weight loss, or maintenance of a healthy body weight, is integral to heart health. Talk to your doctor or naturopath about safe cardiovascular and weight-bearing exercise to keep your body (and heart) healthy. Finally, yoga strengthens the body and core. It also improves breathing, promotes relaxation, and helps regulate stress responses.

Supplementation

Supplementation for the treatment and prevention of heart attack is very individual and will depend on your current medication regime, symptoms, deficiencies, diet and lifestyle. Some very effective and widely used treatments include:

  • Magnesium
  • Arginine
  • Taurine
  • CoQ10
  • Vitamin B3
  • Potassium
  • Carnitine
  • Hawthorn
  • Garlic
  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids