If a person has chest pain and does not go to the hospital (maybe because it is just indigestion) is there a way for a dr. to tell after-the-fact weather or not it was actually a heart attac?
how long after the incident is the dr. able to tell?
what would a dr. use to figure it out?
2007-07-31 02:25:18 · 5 answers · asked by oneakmusic 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Heart Diseases
Absolutely, they can tell. They would use a combination of an EKG, blood tests, and possibly a cardiac catherization.
2007-07-31 02:31:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, Especially if the heart attack causes damage to the heart muscle ,then it may be called a Myocardial Infarct or a M.I. You might hear that term used & then it's somethng else but alway's
inquire to any term you are not familiar with.
Damage to the heart muscle may not cause a problem right away but because the area it affects is dead, it causes the heart to pump harder to get enough blood through the body which carries oxygen to the brain. We have brain cells that die off constantly, the need for fresh oxygen is to rebuild new brain cells. Another problem that can occur is for the heart to enlarge when their is damage/dead area, the emlarged heart causes the heart to pump harder also ,in the long run you could have another heart attack evidentually.
When you go to a hospital with chest pain & you should go no matter what age you are, if you have chest pain that last for a period of time, you might also have pain in the jaw, tooth ache, shoulder & your arms may feel numb. Some people might describe the pain as similiar to an elephant sitting on their chest, finding it hard to breathe. I just went to my vascular surgeon for blockages in my aorta {in the stomach} he sent me to a { heart dr.}Cardiologist before doing surgery because he just did vascular surgery last March, it's too close for the stents to fail, without checking my heart. I was not having any type of chest pain but I was already on oxygen for COPD {Lungs} Being breathless was nothing new for me to be concerned.
It turned out I had 3 complete blockages in the 2 main arteries in the front part of my heart. I had stents put in to open them. I ask the heart doctor why I never had any pain to warn me because I would not have survived if I had went into a heart attack? He told me many women do not feel any pain & especially women that are diabetics, one reason more women die with a sudden heart attack. Scarry to think about.. This happen to me on June 8th 2007. But I feel great & will soon have my vascular surgery..
If you don't go to the doctor with chest pain & evintually the pain stops & later you decide to go..They would do an EKG {ECG is the true abbreviation} they use EKG, so it's not confused with other test abbreviated such as; an EEG test done on your brain.. The EKG can show a past heart attack even if you have no damage, usually it can also change the heart rythem..They would do some blood work to check your enzymes, this may not show anything if it's been awhile since you had the chest pain but it may & also will show if you are about to have a heart attack.
You should never stay at home when having chest pain & think it may just be indigestion. Even if it's only indigestion, it could be a serious form that can cause many severe problems..If you have acids to come out or spew out your nose, you might have acid reflux or a serious form called GERD..I had this also in a severe form ,that became pre-cancerous.
Never feel ashamed to go to a doctor or a hospital with chest pain or any type of pain that is not relieved with an over the counter pain releiver or something for the indigestion. Ask the pharmacist which is best to take after you describe your symtoms, the pharmacist knows more about the medications we take than our doctor or at least they better know!
Try to stay with one pharmacist, they will be able to keep track of all your medas., which is important when some meds. should not be mixed or you have allergy to some types.
I wish you the best of luck, take care of your body, we only have one..
2007-07-31 05:39:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A minor heart attack can be the result of blockage to a small artery. I had one last September. It was opened with a stent in about three hours.
A big arterial blockage hurts a lot more. I've had that, too. Two of my three arteries were 99% blocked, and I started to sit down slow, and BAM, huge pain in my chest.
Chew an aspirin right away, and call 911. You don't need dead heart tissue.
2007-07-31 19:24:39 · answer #3 · answered by Laurence W 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the first place you have no way of knowing that it was a mild attack, all you know is the pain has subsided and your still alive. The E.R can draw blood and look for elevated enzyme level within 24/48/72 hrs. Other Physical test can be performed to look for actual damage to the heart mussel. P.S. I've been there.
2007-07-31 08:11:36 · answer #4 · answered by jimmymae2000 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the doctor with would be a cardiolgest would be able to tell.and at any time if there was damage.however anyone thinking they are having a heart attack should seek medical
help asap.
2007-07-31 08:37:51 · answer #5 · answered by dcrc93 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋