From an interview with
Dr. Joseph Marmora
McLeod Cardiology Associates – Little River

Did you know that in the United States, someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds? In fact, statistics from the National Library of Medicine show that every year, more than one million deaths occur in our country due to heart attack. McLeod Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Joseph Marmora explains the causes, symptoms and treatments for an acute heart attack.

“An acute heart attack is called a myocardial infarction. This is a sudden and often fatal occlusion of a coronary artery. The coronary arteries supply the heart muscle, and when an acute blockage occurs, the patient is at risk for life-threatening heart rhythms or permanent heart failure.

The symptoms of myocardial infarction vary. The most common symptom is chest pain, with or without radiation to the jaw and shoulders. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, lightheadedness, stomach discomfort, nausea. Women often experience atypical symptoms, without the presence of chest pain.

The risk factors for heart attack are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, family history, and obesity. Age is also considered a risk factor. Men over the age of 45 and women over the age of 55 are considered higher risk than younger men and women.

If an acute total occlusion of a coronary artery is the likely diagnosis, an emergency procedure called a percutaneous coronary intervention is the treatment. This involves going to an operating room for a cardiac catheterization procedure. In the cath lab, we access the heart by way of the radial artery or femoral artery. When the blockage is identified, we aim to open the blockage with a stent, thereby restoring flow in the heart muscle.

Today, more than 90% of people survive myocardial infarction. That said, the location of the blockage and extent of heart damage are important factors. It’s crucial to take your prescribed medications, follow up routinely with your cardiologist, participate in cardiac rehab, and make lifestyle changes. I also find that people with a strong support system of friends and family tend to have better long-term outcomes.”

To learn more, speak with a cardiologist near you.