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Many people think that heart failure and heart attack are the same disease because they both involve heart disease. In fact, there are several differences between heart failure and heart attack, both in terms of causes, symptoms and how to treat them.
Difference between heart failure and heart attack
Heart failure is a condition in which the heart cannot function optimally. This condition occurs because the heart muscle that causes the heart to pump blood becomes weaker or stiffer. On the other hand, a heart attack is a disease in which the heart muscle does not receive enough blood flow due to blockages in the coronary arteries. Although both affect how the heart works, there are differences between heart failure and heart attack that need to be known. What is the difference between heart attack and heart failure? Here's the full explanation.
For some reason
The first difference between heart failure and a heart attack is the cause. Heart attacks usually begin with a history of coronary artery disease, in which fatty plaques, cholesterol, or other substances build up and build up in the arteries. If the blockage is complete, damage to the heart muscle can occur, leading to a heart attack.
In contrast, heart failure is a condition caused by a combination of several different diseases that causes the heart muscle to weaken slowly. If it takes longer, there is a risk that the heart will no longer pump blood efficiently around the body.
Note that heart failure can also be caused by a heart attack. In addition, many diseases can cause heart failure:
Congenital heart disease.
Heart valve disease.
High blood pressure (hypertension).
Endocarditis.
Chronic diabetes.
About symptoms
The difference between heart failure and heart attack can also be seen from the symptoms. Heart attacks usually occur suddenly or suddenly, and the symptoms vary from person to person. However, a heart attack has some common symptoms, including:
The chest feels like it is being crushed or hit by a heavy object.
Hard to breathe.
Pain in the chest that radiates to the left arm, neck and jaw.
A cold sweat.
Nausea and vomiting.
Headache.
Weakness, dizziness, even fainting.
Unlike a heart attack, heart failure causes symptoms to slowly develop and get worse. Symptoms that are common in people with heart failure include:
Hard to breathe.
Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia).
Easily tired even if only doing light physical activity.
Prolonged cough.
Swelling of the feet, legs, or abdomen due to fluid buildup (oedema).
Blue skin, especially on the nails and lips.
Tips to avoid heart failure and heart attack
Heart failure and myocardial infarction can generally be prevented by living as healthy a lifestyle as possible. Regarding various healthy lifestyles that can be done:
Stop smoking and avoid high-fat foods to prevent the formation of fatty plaques in the coronary arteries that can trigger heart problems.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Limit excessive use of salt and sugar.
Exercise regularly to improve blood circulation.
Maintain an ideal body weight to avoid obesity which is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
There are several differences between heart failure and heart attack that must be understood. For the prevention and early detection of heart failure or heart attack, it's a good idea to do regular heart health checks.