Says the heart,“How deeply did you let go?”
-by Jack Kornfield, Buddha's Little Instruction Book
The heart is a one of the most resilient muscles in the body and requires tremendous abuse to cause it to die. In Chinese medicine, every organ is ascribed functions that are not only physical in nature but psychological and spiritual as well. This couldn't be truer when discussing a human heart.
All the ancient scriptures have spoken to us of "knowing in one's heart" which is why the heart has a unique spiritual essence as it deals with both presence of mind and presence of the body.
About 800,000 Americans have a heart attack each year, and about one in seven die. Many people ignore warning signs of a heart attack – including pain or discomfort in the chest or upper body, nausea, lightheadedness, and shortness of breath (1). Though, not all heart attacks begin with the sudden, crushing chest pain that often is shown on TV or in the movies. People who had heart attacks with no chest pain were were more likely to be older, female, or diabetic (2).
The most common symptom in both men and women is chest pain, or discomfort in the chest that spreads to the upper body and shortness of breath. Such an individual should be made to sit down (not walk) conserve oxygen till a paramedic is at their side with a gurney and supplemental oxygen.
Did You Have A Heart Attack And Not Know?
Yes! It is possible. Known as --the silent heart attack.
This discovery is made late, when an EKG (a recording of the heart’s electrical activity) or a cardiac enzyme blood test reveals evidence of damage to the heart. According to Harvard Health, one explanation for this phenomenon may be a higher-than-average tolerance for pain. "Some people mistake their symptoms as indigestion or muscle pain, while others may feel pain, but in parts of their upper body other than the center of the chest," says Dr. Kenneth Rosenfield, and...
A myocardial infarction is permanent damage to the heart muscle evidenced by dead tissue found in the heart when there is a lack of blood supply.
How Do Heart Attacks Occur?
The heart muscle needs a continuous supply of oxygen and nutrients in order to beat well. A heart attack occurs when--
The heart cells suffocate and heart becomes starved of oxygen
The coronary arteries become suddenly blocked
stopped flow of blood to the cardiac muscle
a lack of oxygen destroys damages the heart muscle
harmful cell-destroying acids and low oxygenation destroy the heart muscle
The basal membranes of the capillaries are clogged and can no longer supply oxygen to the heart.
A blood clot frees itself from a congested blood vessels and travels to the heart and blocks its oxygen supply.
It is important to know some people experience non-classic symptoms, and these may be slightly more frequent in women and in elderly people as they overlap with other discomforts.
The difference between a Stroke and a Heart Attack
The main difference between a stroke and a heart attack is, a stroke is a “brain attack” or a condition that occurs when a blood clot cuts off blood flow and oxygen to the brain. After a stroke, the deficits that impact one’s speech, motion, memory and speech are dependent on the functional area of the brain that was blocked off.
A heart attack occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, usually by a blood clot. Without oxygenated blood, the heart muscle begins to die. A heart attack can result in death.
What Can I do to Keep my Heart Healthy?
There are plenty of things that you can do to keep your heart healthy. Start with asking yourself, what can you do each day to keep your heart happy, make a list of those things and you have already found 90% of this answer. Please find a free Create Your Own Happiness List (Here). The engagement of joy is a daily prerequisite as well as prescription for the heart, something the world world has forgotten.
Modifiable Risk factors for Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
Smoking. diabetes melitus
hypertension. obesity/diet
dyslipedemia. excessive alcohol
no exercise routine
Non Modifiable Risk factors
advancing age/sex/genetics/ heredity.
Ayurvedic Medicine: Recommended
1. Cardamom-reduces high blood pressure.
2. Garlic-lowers ‘ama’ and toxins & protects the heart.
3. Cinnamon-reduces blood sugar levels, improves insulin sensitivity, -both factors are associated with elevated risk. Also potent antioxidant.
4. Arjuna Bark -regulates lipid levels & prevents ischemia.
5. Heart Tonic- Apple cider vinegar and lemon lower cholesterol.
6. Anti-inflammatory foods
7. Good Circadian Practices, Mental Peace, High Intensity Training and Yoga.
Western Medicine: Recommended
EKG and Blood tests to Check inflammatory markers
An Electrocardiogram basically records the electrical signals as they travel through your heart. This helps us determine whether there are any abnormal rhythms, slow or fast heart rates or evidence of injury to the heart muscle from a blockage that deprives the heart of oxygen. It also shows us if there is a history of a prior MI or heart attack.
Blood tests include CRP, troponin tests, CK or CK–MB tests, and serum myoglobin tests. Cardiac enzyme studies measure the levels of enzymes and proteins that are linked with injury of the heart muscle. Blood tests maybe repeated every 6 hours to check for changes or improvement in the heart condition over time.
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Sources:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/heart-attack-not-know-2017041711596
https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=hw224485