Increasing Heart Attack Rates and the Importance of Diagnosis and Treatment
In recent years, the incidence of heart attacks has increased. Cardiovascular diseases are more common in men, especially after a certain age, while in women, they generally emerge after menopause.
One of the arteries supplying blood to the heart may become blocked, potentially damaging the affected area of the heart muscle. The heart has three main arteries that supply blood, with their branches nourishing the heart muscle and ensuring smooth blood circulation. If one of these arteries is blocked, the heart muscle becomes deprived of oxygen and nutrients, leading to strain on the heart. People often feel a heart attack as tightness, pain, pressure, or blockage in the chest, while others may experience cold sweats or pain in the shoulder and back. In such cases, a thorough investigation of cardiovascular health is necessary, and immediate hospital consultation is advised.
Angiography: The Best Diagnostic Method
When patients arrive with heart attack symptoms, the first intervention includes performing an ECG (electrocardiogram) and moving them to the angiography laboratory for further assessment. If the patient's condition is not critical, immediate angiography is avoided; instead, a full examination, blood tests, ECG, and stress tests are conducted. If needed, angiography is scheduled within a few days. Angiography visualizes the heart’s arteries, allowing specialists to determine the number and location of blockages. The gold standard for diagnosing cardiovascular diseases is angiography, which provides clear imaging of the arteries.
If the blockage is minor, the cardiologist performing the angiography inflates the artery and inserts a stent, opening up the affected area. This minimally invasive intervention is the ideal scenario. However, if multiple blockages are present across three or four arteries, open-heart bypass surgery is recommended.
What Are the Risks of Bypass Surgery?
Because bypass surgery is a significant and complex procedure, patients must fully understand its risks, success rates, and recovery process. Unlike stent placement, bypass surgery does not involve foreign materials—instead, the patient’s own healthy arteries are used. The lifespan of bypass arteries is much longer than stents: while stents may become blocked within 5–7 years, bypass arteries remain open for 10–15 years, providing a more effective, long-lasting solution.
Patients are prepared for bypass surgery within 3–4 hours, undergoing blood tests, lung X-rays, respiratory function tests, and ultrasound scanning of the carotid arteries. The patient must fast before general anesthesia, and the surgery lasts approximately 2–2.5 hours. Awakening from anesthesia typically takes 3–4 hours, with the first day spent in intensive care. Patients are then transferred to a hospital room, gradually encouraged to walk, and typically discharged within 4–5 days. Full wound recovery takes 3–4 weeks, during which a caregiver is required. Patients usually resume normal life after one month.
If a patient has no severe underlying health conditions, the risk of bypass surgery is relatively low (1–2%). However, if the patient has kidney failure requiring dialysis, asthma, COPD, obesity, or advanced age, the risk can rise to 20–30%.
People with Family History of Heart Disease Should Be Cautious!
Certain risk factors significantly increase the likelihood of cardiovascular disease, such as smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. In these groups, heart disease can even develop in young individuals, particularly men. If a family member has undergone stent placement or bypass surgery, it’s important to screen other first-degree relatives for potential genetic risks. Many people remain unaware of hereditary risks, making routine check-ups crucial. Tests such as ECG, echocardiography (EKO), and stress tests can help detect early signs of heart disease.
Don’t fear heart attacks—get tested! If
