HEART ATTACKS. WARNING SIGNS.

A heart attack occurs when a section of the cardiac muscle dies due to an obstruction of the arteries that supply blood to that particular area of the heart.

It is the biggest cause of mortality in men and women worldwide.

SYMPTOMS OF A HEART ATTACK.

• Acute pain located within the centre of the chest, described as penetrating. This is a type of pain that has never been experienced before.

• Crushing pain in the chest, almost as if someone was stepping on it.

• A type of pain within the centre of the chest that extends to the left arm, jaw, neck, both arms and back.

• Dizziness, vomiting, general weakness.

• Extreme and inexplicable low blood pressure, regardless of whether medication is taken for it or not.

• Pain in the stomach described by the patient as chocking him/her.

• Breathing difficulties.

• Extreme sweating (Bathed in sweat)

• Fainting or loss of consciousness.

These are the most common symptoms however, in a significant proportion of cases, particularly those in WOMEN, a heart attack does not exhibit any pain but patients do exhibit shortness of breath, extreme anxiety, epigastric pain (stomach) or extreme tiredness.

Even though chest pains can sometimes be caused by heartburn due to esophageal-gastric reflux, muscle pains, etc. precautions should always be taken especially, if these symptoms continue to worsen or do not subside.

Always remember that although heart attacks do not come with a warning, patients that suffer from cardiovascular disease such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, etc. have a higher risk of suffering from this pathology and should in turn, be more vigilant in case any of these symptoms present themselves.

Let us not forget that being able to take swift action by looking for medical help can save our lives.

Dr J. Hurtado Martínez

Medical Director of HealthSalus

INFARTO DE MIOCARDIO. SEÑALES DE ALERTA.

El infarto de miocardio consiste en la muerte de parte del músculo cardíaco al producirse una obstrucción brusca de las arterías que lo irrigan.

Es la mayor causa de mortalidad en el mundo, tanto en hombres como en mujeres.

SÍNTOMAS DEL INFARTO

• Dolor agudo en el centro del pecho, descrito como terebrante. Nunca antes se había sentido un dolor como éste.

• Dolor opresivo, como si nos estuvieran pisando el pecho.

• Dolor en el centro del pecho con extensión al brazo izquierdo, mandíbula, cuello y espalda,  e incluso a ambos brazos.

• Mareo, nauseas, vómitos, debilidad general.

• Bajada de tensión arterial extrema e inexplicable, tome medicación para ésta o no.

• Dolor de tipo estomacal alto, que el paciente refiere como que le ahoga.

• Dificultad respiratoria.

• Sudoración extrema (Baño en sudor).

• Síncope o pérdida de conocimiento.

Estos son los síntomas más comunes, pero a veces en una proporción importante, especialmente en MUJERES, el infarto se presenta sin síntomas de dolor, pero con falta de aire, ansiedad extrema, dolor epigástrico alto (estómago) o cansancio extremo inexplicable.

Aunque hay dolores en el pecho debidos a ardores por reflujo esófago-gástrico, dolores musculares, etc. siempre hay que tomar precauciones principalmente si estos aumentan, o no desaparecen.

Recordar siempre que aunque el infarto de miocardio no avisa, las personas que tienen antecedentes de patología cardiovascular como hipertensión arterial  diabetes, colesterol alto, etc. tienen más riesgo de sufrir un infarto de miocardio y por lo tanto tienen que estar más atentos ante la presencia de cualquiera de esto síntomas.

Y nunca olvidemos, que la actuación rápida buscando ayuda sanitaria puede salvarnos la vida.  

Dra. J. Hurtado Martínez

Directora Médica de HealthSalus

MENINGITIS. WARNING SIGNS

Meningitis is an infection of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.

Incidencia en la Población

Varios miles de casos son diagnosticados al año especialmente en Otoño, Invierno y Primavera. En África, el número es mayor, debido sobre todo a la falta de vacunación y al mayor contagio.

The first peak of this pathology appears in children, with the second taking place during adolescence and in young adults. The probability of this pathology emerging in older adults is much less frequent.

Meningitis is transmitted from person to person through drops of saliva, kisses, sneezes, shared bedrooms, glasses or kitchen utensils, etc.

Bacterial Meningitis is the most dangerous type of Meningitis and has an incubation period of a week. Its diagnosis needs to be completed quickly as its evolution is lethal in less than 24 hours.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms vary in accordance to age:


Babies

• High fever.

• Inconsolable crying.

• Irritability.

• Stiffness in the back of the neck.

• Projectile vomiting.

Children, adolescents and adults.

• High fever.

• Intense headache.

• Stiffness in the back of the neck.

• Vomiting.

• Photo sensibility. Pain when looking to light sources.

Diagnosis

• Medical history

• Physical exploration

• Spinal tab

• Cultures of samples of blood, faeces, etc.

An additional symptom of this pathology is the emergence of red spots throughout the body named ‘petechiae’. These appear when the infection has spread throughout the body and it is a sign of extreme gravity, however it does not appear in every case.

Treatment

Antibiotics are administered in the cases of Bacterial Meningitis, as soon as a diagnosis is made. Treatments for the remaining types of this pathology vary in accordance to the germ that has caused it.

Prevention

Vaccines are the best way to prevent the emergence of this pathology. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has stated that 70% of cases of Meningitis are prevented when a campaign of vaccinations is administered to the mass population.

Meningitis is a terrible pathology that will one day be eradicated through prevention.

Dr J. Hurtado Martínez                                                                                              

Medical Director of HealthSalus