Heart Diseases a Threat to Life

Each year millions of men and women worldwide have heart attacks. Many survive with few aftereffects. Others do not survive. For still others the heart is so damaged that “a return to useful activities is questionable,” cardiologist Peter Cohn says, adding: “It is imperative, therefore, to nip heart attacks in the bud whenever possible.”

The heart is a muscle that pumps blood throughout the body. In a heart attack (myocardial infarction), part of the heart muscle dies when deprived of blood. To stay healthy, the heart needs oxygen and other nutrients that are carried by the blood. It gets these by way of the coronary arteries, which wrap around the outside of the heart.

Diseases can affect any part of the heart. However, the most common is the insidious disease of the coronary arteries called atherosclerosis. When this occurs, plaque, or fatty deposits, develops in the artery walls. Over a period of time, plaque can build up, harden and narrow the arteries, and restrict blood flow to the heart. It is this underlying coronary artery disease (CAD) that sets the stage for most heart attacks.

Clogging in one or more arteries precipitates an attack when the heart’s demand for oxygen exceeds the supply. Even in arteries less severely narrowed, a deposit of plaque can crack and lead to the formation of a blood clot (thrombus). Diseased arteries are also more susceptible to spasm. A blood clot can form at the site of a spasm, releasing a chemical that further constricts the artery wall, triggering an attack.

When heart muscle is deprived of oxygen long enough, nearby tissue may be damaged. Unlike some tissue, heart muscle does not regenerate. The longer the attack, the more damage to the heart and the greater the likelihood of death. If the heart’s electrical system is damaged, the heart’s normal rhythm can become chaotic and the heart can begin to quiver wildly (fibrillate). In such an arrhythmia, the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively to the brain fails. Within ten minutes the brain dies and death occurs.

Thus, early intervention by trained medical personnel is vital. It can rescue the heart from ongoing damage, prevent or treat the arrhythmia, and even save a person’s life.

Recognizing and Acting
On the Symptoms

When symptoms of heart attack occur, it is vital to seek medical help immediately, as the risk of death is greatest within the first hour after an attack. Quick treatment can save heart muscle from irreparable damage. The more heart muscle that is spared, the more effectively the heart will pump after the attack.

However, some heart attacks are silent, manifesting no outward symptoms. In these cases the person may be unaware that he has coronary artery disease (CAD). Sadly, for some a massive attack may be the first inkling of heart trouble. When cardiac arrest occurs (the heart stops pumping), there is little chance for survival unless a rescue team is called immediately and bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is applied right away.

Of the majority who have symptoms of CAD, the Harvard Health Letter reports, about half will put off seeking immediate medical help. Why? “Usually because they don’t recognize what their symptoms signify or don’t take them seriously.”

John,* a heart-attack victim and one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, implores: “When you sense that something is not right, don’t delay in getting medical help out of fear of appearing melodramatic. I almost lost my life because I didn’t react quickly enough.”

What Happened

John explains: “A year and a half before my heart attack, I was warned by a doctor about my high cholesterol, a major risk factor in CAD. But I evaded the issue, as I felt that I was young-under 40-and in good health. I greatly regret that I did not take action then. I had other warning signals-shortness of breath with physical exertion, pains I thought were indigestion and, for several months before the attack, extreme fatigue. Most of these I blamed on too little sleep and too much job stress. Three days before my heart attack, I had what I thought was a muscle spasm in my chest. It was a minor attack prior to the big one three days later.”

Chest pain or pressure, called angina, gives warning to about half of those who suffer a heart attack. Some experience shortness of breath or fatigue and weakness as symptoms, indicating that the heart is not getting enough oxygen because of a coronary blockage. These warning signals should send one to a doctor for a heart evaluation. Dr. Peter Cohn states: “Once angina is treated, there is no guarantee that a heart attack will be prevented, but at least the chances of an imminent attack are reduced.”

The Attack
Quick treatment after a heart attack may save a life and reduce heart damage

John continues: “That day we were going to play softball. As I gobbled a hamburger and fried potatoes for lunch, I shrugged off some discomfort, nausea, and upper-body tightness. But when we got to the ballpark and began playing, I could tell something wasn’t right. In the course of the afternoon, I felt progressively worse.

“Several times, I lay on the players’ benches, face up, and tried to stretch my chest muscles, but they kept getting tighter and tighter. While playing, I said to myself, ‘Maybe I’ve got the flu,’ as I felt clammy and weak at times. When I ran, I was noticeably out of breath. I lay down on a bench again. When I sat up, there was no doubt that I was in serious trouble. I yelled to my son James: ‘I need to go to the hospital NOW!’ My chest felt as though it had caved in. The pain was so great that I couldn’t get up. I thought, ‘This can’t be a heart attack, can it? I’m only 38!’”

John’s son, who was 15 years old at the time, relates: “It took only minutes for my dad to lose his strength, so that he had to be carried to the car. My friend drove the car while asking Dad questions to keep up with his condition. Finally, Dad didn’t answer. ‘John!’ my friend shouted. But my father still didn’t respond. Then Dad jerked in his seat, going into convulsions and vomiting. I shouted over and over: ‘Dad! I love you! Please don’t die!’ After his seizure, his whole body fell limp in the seat. I thought he had died.”

At the Hospital

“We ran into the hospital to get help. Two or three minutes had passed since I thought Dad had died, but I hoped he could be revived. To my surprise, about 20 fellow Witnesses of Jehovah who had been at the ballpark were in the waiting room. They made me feel comforted and loved, which was a great help at such a miserable time. About 15 minutes later, a doctor came and explained: ‘We were able to revive your dad, but he has had a massive heart attack. We aren’t sure he’ll live.’

“He then allowed me to see Dad briefly. Dad’s expressions of love for our family overwhelmed me. In great pain, he said: ‘Son, I love you. Always remember that Jehovah is the most important person in our lives. Never stop serving him, and help your mother and brothers never to stop serving him. We have a solid hope in the resurrection, and if I die, I want to see all of you when I come back.’ We were both crying tears of love, fear, and hope.”

John’s wife, Mary, arrived an hour later. “When I walked into the emergency room, the doctor said: ‘Your husband has had a massive heart attack.’ I was stunned. He explained that John’s heart had been defibrillated eight times. This emergency measure involves the use of electrical voltage to stop the heart’s chaotic beat and restore normal rhythm. Together with CPR, oxygen delivery, and intravenous drugs, defibrillation is an advanced lifesaving method.

“When I saw John, my heart ached. He was very pale, and there were many tubes and wires connecting his body to monitors. Silently, I prayed to Jehovah to give me the strength to endure this trial for the sake of our three sons, and I prayed for guidance to make wise decisions about what might lie ahead. As I approached John’s bed, I thought, ‘What do you say to your loved one at a time like this? Are we really prepared for such a life-threatening situation?’

“‘Honey,’ John said, ‘you know I may not make it through this. But it’s important that you and the boys remain faithful to Jehovah because soon this system will end and there will be no more sickness and death. I want to wake up in that new system and see you and our boys there.’ Tears streamed down our faces.”

The Doctor Explains

“The doctor later called me aside and explained that investigation showed that John’s heart attack was due to a 100-percent blockage in the left anterior descending artery. He also had blockage in another artery. The doctor told me that I must make a decision regarding John’s treatment. Two of the available options were drugs and angioplasty. He thought the latter would be better, so we opted for the angioplasty. But the doctors made no promises, as most do not survive this kind of a heart attack.”

Angioplasty is a surgical technique in which a balloon-tipped catheter is inserted into a coronary artery and then inflated to open the blockage. The procedure has a high rate of success in restoring blood flow. When several arteries are seriously blocked, bypass surgery is usually recommended.

Grim Prognosis

After the angioplasty, John’s life continued to hang in the balance for another 72 hours. Finally, his heart began to recover from the trauma. But John’s heart was pumping at only half of its former capacity, and a large portion of it had become scar tissue, so the prospect of his being a cardiac cripple was almost inevitable.

In retrospect, John admonishes: “We owe it to our Creator, our families, our spiritual brothers and sisters, and ourselves to heed the warnings and to take care of our health-especially if we are at risk. To a considerable extent, we can be the cause of happiness or grief. It’s up to us.”

John’s case was severe and required immediate attention. But not all with heartburn-type discomfort need to run to a doctor. Still, his experience is a warning, and those who feel that they have symptoms should have a checkup.


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