Minor heart attack - Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

'Minor heart attack' or 'mild heart attack' is called non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) in medical language. NSTEMI can cause a partial blockage in one of the coronary arteries of the heart. This reduces the flow of blood to the heart. This condition can damage the heart and impair the heart's ability to pump blood throughout the body.

Damage to the heart from NSTEMI is less severe than from STEMI (a type of heart attack). Still, a heart attack, whether minor or major, can take a serious form. These can permanently damage the heart and increase the risk of heart disease later on.

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Some of the symptoms of a Minor heart attack are as follows -

• Difficulty breathing
• The feeling of pressure, tightness, or discomfort in the chest
• Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, back, or abdomen
• Dizziness
• Feeling lightheaded and body
• Nausea
• To sweat

It is necessary to take these symptoms seriously. If anyone experiences some of these symptoms, he/she should immediately visit a doctor.

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Here the reasons or risk factors mentioned below can increase the chances of getting any type of heart attack, not just a minor. In particular, men are most prone to such attacks -

• Smoking
• Growing old
• Family history of coronary artery disease
• Have had coronary artery disease or a heart attack in the past
• Diabetes
• Kidney failure
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• High intake of saturated and trans fat diet
• Heavy drinking

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Now the question arises how can we know that the person has had a Minor heart attack? For this, along with the symptoms mentioned above, the following methods can also be tested -

• NSTEMI is diagnosed through a blood test and ECG.
• Blood tests can detect elevated levels of troponin I and troponin T.
• It can be known from the blood test that a heart attack has occurred, but from the ECG it can be clear whether this heart attack is minor or major.

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Its treatment will depend on the amount of blockage and the severity of NSTEMI. For this, the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score will determine whether the cardiovascular problem is low, moderate, or high risk. Doctors use these eight parameters to calculate this score -

• Age
• Heart rate
• Systolic blood pressure
• Heartbeat
• Serum creatinine level
• Cardiac arrest on hospitalization
• ST segment deviation in ECG
• Elevated cardiac markers

Medicines are used for people who are at low risk of NSTEMI. Medications that may be given include anticoagulants, antiplatelets, beta-blockers, nitrates, statins, angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs).

For people with moderate to high risk, either a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI-a type of surgical procedure) or a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG-a type of surgical procedure) is performed.

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Here are some tips to prevent minor or mild heart attacks -

• Take a healthy diet.
• Sleep and wake up at the right time.
• Try to stay away from stress.
• Take care of your weight.
• Don't smoke.
• Physical activities like running, walking, exercising, yoga, and meditation are included.

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Heart attack is minor or major, do not take it lightly. Recognize the symptoms in time and keep yourself healthy. Always keep the medicines you need with you and keep the important number on top of the mobile. Take a healthy diet and keep yourself healthy. Keep in mind that do not ignore any symptoms and changes you feel in your body.

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