Q. How can I test my heart at home?

Here are a few simple ways to check your heart at home: Check pulse and heart rate: Feel your pulse to check your heart rate and rhythm. A pulse matches up with a heartbeat that pumps blood through your arteries, and heart rate is the number of times your heart beats in one minute. The stronger the pulse, the better the strength of your blood flow and blood pressure. Check Blood Pressure: When at rest, normal blood pressure is less than 120 over less than 80. A reading of 130/80 or higher is high blood pressure. If you have consistently high BP, then your heart may be blocked. Blood Test: Check the sodium, potassium, albumin, and creatinine levels in your blood. Abnormal levels suggest possible signs of heart failure or kidney or liver problems .

Can I eat and drink the night before the surgery?

Ideally, you should not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the surgery. You can eat something light before midnight to avoid feeling hungry in the morning. You can have small sips of water until 2 hours before the surgery, if your surgeon permits.

Q. How long do heart attacks last?

Heart attack symptoms can last 30 minutes or longer if not relieved by rest or nitroglycerin under the tongue.

Who will perform the surgery and how long does it take?

A team of specialised neurosurgeons and anaesthetists will perform the operation. Keyhole surgery for a brain tumour can take up to 3 hours, while a regular craniotomy can take 3-5 hours. An awake craniotomy can take 5-7 hours.

Q. What happens during a heart attack?

he heart needs a continuous supply of oxygen and nutrients to function. Blood vessels known as coronary arteries surround the heart muscle and supply it with oxygenated blood. A heart attack occurs when a coronary artery suddenly becomes blocked, stopping the flow of blood to the heart muscle. After the heart attack treatment, do not think that the problem is dealt with. A heart attack is merely a symptom of an underlying heart health problem like coronary artery disease (CAD).

How painful will it be after the brain tumour surgery? How will the pain be managed?

You will be on intravenous pain medication after the surgery and will therefore not feel any pain. You may get headaches, and the operated area may feel tender. This can be managed with pain medication prescribed by your doctor. Once the IV medication stops, your doctor will give you pain pills to manage the pain.

For how long do I need to stay in the hospital?

The duration of stay for brain surgery is about 3 days. Your stay may be longer if you have any post-surgical problems.

Q. What is a minor heart attack?

A minor or mild heart attack is a common way of referring to what doctors call a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction or NSTEMI. In this type of heart attack, When the coronary arteries are partially blocked, the blood flows partially, limiting the supply of oxygenated blood to the heart muscle. This type of attack or mild chest or arm pain is referred to as a mild heart attack. Despite a good outcome and less damage, it is still a big deal and should not be ignored.

What kind of care should I take after discharge?

After discharge, you will need to avoid lifting heavy objects for 4 weeks. You will also have to avoid getting constipated and pushing hard during bowel movements for 4 weeks. You also need to avoid physical exertion caused by working, running, exercising, etc.

Q. Does your body warn you before a heart attack?

As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain (angina). But sometimes, women experience some of the common symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and back or jaw pain. Don't wait to get help if you experience any of the following heart attack warning signs. Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, pain or discomfort in the chest. Discomfort or pain in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. Shortness of breath. Cold sweat or lightheadedness.

When should I call a doctor?

You will have to keep an eye out for symptoms such as: Fever higher than 101.5 degrees Seizures Sudden weakness or pain in legs and arms Bad headache Change in your mental status Confusion Redness or swelling at the site of the incision Liquid draining from the site of the incision. If you experience any of these problems, you should call your doctor right away.

Q. Can stress cause a heart attack?

Stress may affect behaviours and factors that increase heart disease risk: high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, smoking, drinking alcohol, physical inactivity and overeating. Our body releases adrenaline, which temporarily causes breathing and heart rate to speed up and blood pressure to rise. These reactions prepare us to deal with the situation — the "fight or flight" response. When stress is constant, the body remains in high gear off and on for days or weeks at a time. Although the link between stress and heart disease isn't clear, chronic stress can increase blood pressure and may damage the artery walls.

Q. How can we prevent heart attacks?

Heart attacks can be prevented by following these seven simple heart-healthy tips: Life's Simple 7 Avoid smoking and using tobacco products Be physically active every day Eat a heart-healthy diet Keep a healthy weight Keep your blood pressure healthy Keep your total cholesterol healthy Keep your blood sugar healthy

What kind of questions should I ask my doctor before surgery?

It is best to be well-informed before your brain tumour surgery. Ask your doctor questions like: What kind of tumour do I have and where is it located? What size is it, and how aggressive is it? Is the tumour benign or malignant? How can this be treated? Can the treatment cure me completely? Do I need to see a specialist? How will the treatment cost and can I use insurance to cover the cost?

Q. What is a heart attack?

A heart attack occurs when a blocked artery prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching a section of the heart. If the blocked artery is not reopened quickly, the part of the heart normally nourished by that artery begins to die. The longer a person goes without treatment, the greater the damage.

What are the first signs of a brain tumour?

Cancer that has spread to the brain from another part of the body is called a metastatic brain tumour, which is much more common than primary tumours. The early signs may vary depending on the type, size, and exact location of the tumour in the brain. Following are some general signs and symptoms. Personality changes or mood swings Headache Memory loss and confusion Gradual loss of sensation or movement in an arm or a leg Problems balancing or walking Muscle jerking or twitching Fatigue Depression Nausea and vomiting Weakness and numbness Seizures or convulsions

Q. What are the symptoms of a heart attack?

Symptoms of a heart attack may be immediate and intense. Patients usually have severe chest pain lasting for more than 20 to 30 min, along with pain radiating to arms, throat, jaw or back. Other accompanying symptoms are- sweating, breathing difficulty, nausea, and vomiting. More often, symptoms start slowly and persist for hours, days or weeks before a heart attack. Unlike with sudden cardiac arrest, the heart usually does not stop beating during a heart attack. The heart attack symptoms in women can be different than in men.

How can I test myself for a brain tumour?

If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above in your daily life, then go visit a doctor. They can best guide you.

What procedures and tests diagnose the type and grade of a brain tumour?

If you have signs and symptoms of a brain tumour, then your doctor will do a physical exam, ask about your and your family's medical history and ask you to do one or more of the following tests. Neurologic exam MRI CT scan Angiogram Spinal Tap Biopsy

Q. What is cardiac arrest?

During cardiac arrest, the heart stops beating. Sudden cardiac arrest occurs suddenly and often without warning. It is triggered by an electrical malfunction in the heart that causes an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). With its pumping action disrupted, the heart cannot pump blood to the brain, lungs and other organs. Seconds later, a person loses consciousness and has no pulse. Death occurs within minutes if the victim does not receive treatment.

Q. What is the link between cardiac arrest and heart attack?

These two distinct heart conditions are linked. Sudden cardiac arrest can occur after a heart attack or during recovery. Heart attacks increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest. Most heart attacks do not lead to sudden cardiac arrest. But when sudden cardiac arrest occurs, heart attack is a common cause. Other heart conditions may also disrupt the heart's rhythm and lead to sudden cardiac arrest. These include a thickened heart muscle (cardiomyopathy), heart failure, arrhythmias, particularly ventricular fibrillation, and long Q-T syndrome.

Q. Are there any female-specific conditions that may put a woman at risk of heart disease?

Yes, there are. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a common condition that is related to hypertension, glucose intolerance, and obesity. Treatments for breast cancer may also cause heart muscle injury. Turner syndrome is a genetic condition related to high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Pregnancy-related conditions often increase the risk of heart disease symptoms in women. Lastly, menopause usually brings increased cholesterol levels, weight gain, etc. The pre-menopausal period with palpitations can be life-threatening.

Q. How long do I need to rest after a cardiac arrest?

Rest is important after a heart attack, but that does not mean you should spend more time lying idly. You better be active in social events and begin your physical activity ASAP. In many cases, doctors recommend more physical activity to ensure good sleep and stress-free life. However, heart attack patients should rest before they get tired.

Q. Can I eat processed foods if I had a heart attack in the past?

Avoid processed and stored foods as much as you can. Restrict yourself to home-cooked food. This is because processed and canned foods are rich in sodium which increases blood pressure swiftly.

Q. Do any dietary things happen to slow down heart attack symptoms?

Eating right can reduce the signs of a heart attack. Eating a healthy diet can reduce cholesterol and lower blood pressure and blood sugar. Tips: Eat more fruits and vegetables, grains, and legumes. Swap saturated fats with unsaturated fats. Avoid red meat and consume only lean meat. Eat complex carbs Consume less sodium and sugar Exercise more. Do yoga and meditation

Heart Attack Guide | Narayana Health

Q: Q. If I am on medication to treat heart disease, does that mean I am no longer at risk of a heart attack?

No, this means you are working towards lowering your risk of future heart attacks. Some of the causes resulting in heart attacks may be hereditary or genetic. Heart attacks in these instances can still occur. It is best to speak with your doctor about what you can do to minimise the risk as much as possible.

Q: Q. Do all heart attacks have the same symptoms?

Most heart attacks start slowly and build up gradually over a few minutes. Heart attacks can be anticipated as mild discomfort or pain, including pressure, tightness, fullness or radiating pain to the neck, jaw, or arm, and are usually associated with shortness of breath, nausea, sweating and paleness. People with diabetes and women may not have the typical symptoms of chest discomfort and may have only a few of the associated features (such as shortness of breath or nausea)

Q: Q. What are the four silent signs of a heart attack?

A silent heart attack is just like any other attack and equally damaging. The heart is the pumping mechanism of the human body, which needs oxygen-rich blood to function. When blood is thickened by plaque (due to fat and cholesterol), it hinders the blood flow to arteries. Be prepared by knowing these four silent signs of a heart attack. Most heart attacks involve only mild pain or discomfort in the centre of your chest. You may also feel pressure, squeezing, or fullness. A heart attack doesn't just affect your heart. It is not about pain in the chest area alone. Look out for pain or discomfort in your arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach. If you have difficulty breathing and feel dizzy easily while doing simple physical activities like climbing stairs, you must watch your heart. Waking up in a cold sweat, feeling nauseated, and vomiting are signs of a silent heart attack.

Q: Q. What is a myocardial infarction?

Myocardial infarction is the medical term for heart attack.

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Heart Attacks: Your Guide to Symptoms, Risk Factor And Treatment

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How is smoking related to a heart attack?

Most smokers get a heart attack, which is directly related to their smoking habit. The nicotine consumed during smoking causes many health issues, which include-

Lack of oxygen supply to the heart
Increased blood pressure and heart rate.
Clotting of blood.
Damage to cells that line coronary arteries and other blood vessels.