Heart Attack And Exercise- The worrying trend of current times

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Heart Attack during Exercise

There has been a worrying trend of heart attack and exercise in recent times, where we have heard various stories about people suffering from a heart attack while exercising or working out in the gym.

Doctors have always suggested regular exercising to maintain a healthy heart and good general health over the last many years. However, the recent trend of individuals having heart attacks while exercising has left people confused if they should exercise at all!

A heart attack that develops during exercise can be both scary and life-threatening. When the blood flow to the heart is blocked, normally by a blood clot, a heart attack may occur. While exercising, the heart is working harder and needs more nutrients and oxygen. If the blood vessels going to the heart are already narrow due to the buildup of plaque, the heart will fail to receive sufficient blood and oxygen, causing a heart attack.

Some people are more likely to experience a heart attack during exercise, like people with pre-existing heart disorders, high blood pressure and diabetes patients, and individuals having a family history of heart diseases. Such people need to take good care of their heart health and undergo regular health checkups.

In this article, we will be discussing in detail the causes, risk factors, symptoms, and ways to prevent and manage a heart attack during exercise.

What are the causes of cardiac attack during exercise?

What are the risk factors for heart attack during exercise?

What are the symptoms of heart attack during exercise?

What to do if you notice signs of cardiac attack while exercising?

How to prevent heart attack during exercise?

What are the causes of heart attack while exercising?

A cardiac attack that occurs during exercising is usually a result of an underlying medical cause. The common causes of heart attack development during exercise are as follows:

Coronary artery disease: It is a condition that develops when the arteries supplying the heart become blocked or narrowed because of plaque buildup or atherosclerosis. The heart needs more blood flow and oxygen during exercise and a clot may form in the arteries that are already narrowed, leading to a heart attack. ( Know more about- What is Heart Attack? )

Rupture of plaque: Sometimes the plaque buildup in the heart arteries may break open or rupture, causing blood clot formation and a heart attack.

Hypertension: Uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause damage to the arteries and increased susceptibility to plaque buildup. Narrow arteries and high blood pressure can increase the risk of heart attack during exercise.

Intense physical activity: Sudden form of vigorous or strenuous activities can create excessive stress on the heart and an increased demand for blood supply and oxygen to the heart. If the blood supply to the heart is compromised due to underlying medical conditions, it can lead to a heart attack.

Arrhythmia: Irregular heartbeats during exercise can interfere with the ability of the heart to pump blood properly, which may cause a heart attack.

Poor lifestyle choices: Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet, obesity, and stress can increase the risk of developing heart problems that could lead to a heart attack during exercise.

Undetected heart disorders: Some people may have undiagnosed heart problems like congenital heart defects or structural abnormalities, which could increase the possibility of having a heart attack during exercise.

What are the risk factors for cardiac attack while you exercise?

While mild to moderate forms of regular exercising are good for maintaining heart health, some individuals are at an increased risk of getting a heart attack during exercise such as the following:

• Family history of heart attack
• Underlying heart problems
• Older adults
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Smokers
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol levels
• Obesity or being overweight
• Diabetics

What are the symptoms of heart attack during exercise?

The following are symptoms that could be indicative of a heart attack during exercise:

• Chest discomfort, pain, pressure, fullness, or squeezing
• Pain that radiates to one or both the arms, stomach, back, neck, or jaw
• Shortness of breath
• Excessive sweating
• Lightheadedness
• Nausea

What to do if you notice signs of cardiac attack while exercising?

If you notice any of the above signs of heart attack while exercising, you should:

Stop exercising: Stop your physical activity right away and avoid any type of physical exertion, as it could worsen your condition. 

Get emergency care: If you feel that you are having a heart attack, do not hesitate to ask for help to rush you to emergency medical services at a nearby hospital right away. You can call a doctor for emergency medical assistance while you are on your way to the hospital.

Try to be calm and follow the instructions provided by your doctor till you reach the hospital. If the doctor recommends taking medications like nitroglycerin, take it as advised by your doctor.

Always remember that every minute counts in case of a heart attack. Prompt attention and treatment can save your life and minimize damage to your heart. Get best treatments for heart diseases and heart bypass surgery done at the best hospitals in Mumbai like Jaslok Hospital Mumbai. Also get to know the cost of heart bypass surgery in Mumbai. 

How to prevent heart attacks when one exercises?

There are certain steps that you can take to prevent or lower your risk of developing a heart attack during exercise:

• Slowly and gradually increase the duration, frequency, and intensity of your workouts
• Avoid overexertion
• Warm up before starting your exercises to prepare your cardiovascular system and muscles
• Cool down after a workout to help the body gradually return to its resting stage
• Maintain proper hydration levels as dehydration can strain your heart and impact your overall performance
• Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet and avoid processed foods
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Engage in mild to moderate forms of physical exercise daily to strengthen your heart muscle
• Get seven to eight hours of sleep every day
• Undergo regular health checkups to assess your heart health and know about underlying heart conditions
• Know about the warning signs of a heart attack so that you can seek immediate medical help in case of a heart attack

We hope that we were able to answer all your questions regarding cardiac attack during exercise through this article.

If you want more information about heart attack during exercise, and its treatment, you can contact a Cardiologist.

We only aim to give you information through the article and do not recommend any medication or treatment in any way. Only a qualified doctor can give you the best advice and treatment plan.