What is a widowmaker heart attack?
Complete blockage of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery causes widowmaker heart attack.
The informal naming of widowmaker is based on the prominence of the LAD in heart functioning. LAD is the biggest artery in the heart and it provides more than half of the heart muscle's blood supply.
What is the survival rate of a widowmaker heart attack?
Widowmaker heart attack is life threatening as in this case the largest artery of one of the highly functional organs of the body is blocked completely.
Since LAD carries fresh blood to the heart in order to provide the right amount of oxygen it needs to pump properly, blockage in this can make the heart stop very fast.
There is a very lower rate of survival in this type of heart attack
Does the name imply it only happens to men?
No, contrary to what it has been named, widowmaker does not only happen to men. It strikes women too.
Men above 45 years of age and women above 50 years of age are at risk of widowmaker heart attack. Those having a family history of heart disease, and having other medical conditions are likely to develop this condition.
What are the symptoms of widowmaker heart attack?
The common symptoms of widowmaker heart attack are: chest pain (which is not likely to happen in women), shortness of breath, dizziness, stomach problem, tiredness, lightheadedness and pain radiating to arms, shoulders, neck, jaw and back from chest.
Swollen feet and ankles were the first signs: A widowmaker heart attack survivor
For Denise Castille, surviving widowmaker heart attack gave her a new lease to life. In 2015 Denise observed swollen feet and heart palpitations and went to doctors who told her that everything was fine. She was told that her weight is on the higher side.
Next when her symptoms changed to chest pain she again went to doctors and again was told to be having stress. Less than three weeks later, she had a heart attack, she told TODAY.
What causes a widowmaker heart attack?
There are several reasons the artery can get blocked.
The common causes of this heart attack are cholesterol build up or atherosclerosis in the artery.
Blood clots can also trigger this form of heart attack.
"How can I prevent a widowmaker heart attack?"
Eating clean, seasonal food, keeping the body active throughout the day, cutting down consumption of alcohol and smoking cigarettes, and sleeping for a decent number of hours can help prevent widowmaker heart attacks.
One should also regularly test the risk factors which are cholesterol. Blood tests should be regularly done and statins should be taken in order to regulate the cholesterol level.
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