Heart attack - causes, symptoms & prevention with omega-3 & Q10

A heart attack occurs when a coronary artery becomes blocked. Find out more about the causes, symptoms and how nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids and coenzyme Q10 can help prevent them.

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Wissenswertes über "Heart attack"

A heart attack occurs when a blood vessel in the heart (coronary artery) becomes blocked and the heart muscle is no longer supplied with sufficient oxygen.

As the heart muscle is no longer supplied with sufficient oxygen during a heart attack, heart muscle tissue dies. The most common cause is arteriosclerosis, in which fat, calcium and inflammatory cells build up on the vessel walls over the years and narrow the arteries. If such a plaque suddenly dissolves, a blood clot can block the artery and trigger a heart attack.

Symptoms of a heart attack

Typical symptoms include sudden, severe chest pain that often radiates to the left arm, back, jaw or upper abdomen. Other signs may include shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea and cold sweats. In women, older people or diabetics, however, the symptoms can be less specific, so that a heart attack is sometimes not recognised immediately. While the classic chest pain radiating to the left arm is common in men, these patient groups often suffer from less clear symptoms that are easily overlooked or attributed to other causes.Women often show diffuse symptoms such as extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, indigestion or pain in the upper abdomen, back or jaw. These symptoms can easily be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, muscle tension or stress, so that the heart attack is often not recognised immediately.

Diabetics have a particularly high risk of so-called silent heart attacks, which are completely painless or only noticeable through slight shortness of breath, tiredness or general malaise. The reason for this is diabetic neuropathy, nerve damage caused by long-term elevated blood sugar levels, which reduces the sensation of pain.

Treatment & Prevention of a heart attack

Treatment usually involves quickly reopening the blocked vessel, either by means of a cardiac catheter (stent implantation) or by administering blood-thinning medication. After a heart attack, a long-term change in lifestyle is crucial to reduce the risk of a new heart attack. This includes a healthy diet, regular exercise, quitting smoking and controlling risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol levels.

The targeted intake of nutrients can play a crucial role in the prevention and aftercare of heart attacks by reducing inflammation, supporting vascular health and improving heart function. Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory and vasoprotective properties, while magnesium helps to stabilise the heart rhythm. Coenzyme Q10 can improve energy production in the heart muscle cells and L-arginine promotes vasodilation and therefore blood flow.

A holistic approach consisting of a heart-friendly diet, regular exercise, stress management and a targeted intake of important nutrients can help to improve cardiovascular health in the long term.