On December 27, Ms. Zhou Feng, the sister of the well-known actor Zhou Haimei, issued a statement. The statement explained the cause of Zhou Haimei's death: Based on the surveillance video and forensic identification, it was comprehensively determined that Zhou Haimei died suddenly of a heart attack.
Gao Xiaofei, deputy chief physician of the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Nanjing First Hospital, pointed out that the incidence of acute myocardial infarction has been increasing in recent years. Among them, the incidence of postmenopausal women who have lost estrogen protection is easily ignored. He reminded that many people think that myocardial infarction occurs suddenly, but in fact there are signs. Only by identifying the "signals" in time can you save your life.
Picture source Visual China
Acute myocardial infarction is mostly related to coronary artery disease
Patients who are usually healthy or seemingly healthy die suddenly and unexpectedly due to natural diseases in a short period of time, which is called sudden death. "Sudden death" is not a disease, but a manifestation of various diseases. It is understood that sudden death is often caused by problems with the most critical organs that maintain life, such as the heart, brain, and lungs. Among them, like Zhou Haimei, she died suddenly of heart disease, and she has "taken away" many people over the years, including many celebrities.
Heart disease refers to a group of diseases that affect the normal functioning of the heart, including myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease, arrhythmia, etc. If a sudden heart attack is not treated in time, it is likely to be life-threatening.
Director Gao Xiaofei said that acute myocardial infarction, which has attracted the most attention, refers to myocardial necrosis caused by severe and persistent ischemia of the corresponding myocardium due to a sharp reduction or interruption of coronary blood supply based on coronary artery disease. This also means that most cardiac accidents are related to coronary heart disease. In the past, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases were considered a "senile disease" and were common among the elderly in their 60s. However, Director Gao Xiaofei pointed out that premature coronary heart disease has become more and more common in recent years. The gradual improvement of living standards has made heart disease a "disease of wealth". Factors such as changes in eating habits, more fat intake, lack of physical activity, high stress, and the earlier onset of "three high" diseases have caused more and more people to be affected by heart disease and are getting younger.
"In the past, it was generally believed that coronary heart disease was more friendly to young women before menopause, and the incidence rate was higher in men. But in fact, after menopause, women lack the protection of estrogen and will also start to get coronary heart disease." Experts pointed out that, especially If other high-risk factors are superimposed, it will accelerate the occurrence of coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis and other heart diseases. However, women's heart health is often easily ignored.
Can chest discomfort be cured by taking some rest?
Don't take these "signals" seriously
If you find out the symptoms related to sudden death and understand the meaning behind these early warning signals, you can prescribe the right medicine and race against time to snatch the "vital life". Once myocardial infarction occurs, the blood supply function will stagnate. Chest pain and chest discomfort are the first and most prominent symptoms of acute myocardial infarction.
"Sometimes I feel uncomfortable for a short period of time, just a few minutes. Maybe I just need to take a rest. Or because I am busy at work or have other things to do and feel that going to the hospital is too troublesome, I tend not to take it seriously. In fact, this is exactly the time when I need it most. Attention should be paid.” According to Director Gao Xiaofei, especially for people who have a family history of heart disease, have suffered from basic diseases such as “three highs” in the past, and who usually stay up late and have irregular work and rest, even a short-term heart discomfort Sense is also a key "early warning signal". Only by identifying it in time can you seize the opportunity as early as possible.
In critical situations, severe chest pain may cause the patient to vomit in pain, continue to lower blood pressure, and cause shock. Specifically, this type of chest pain manifests from behind the sternum to the pharynx or in the precordial area, radiating to the left shoulder and left arm. The duration is often greater than 30 minutes, or even as long as more than 10 hours. This kind of chest pain generally cannot be relieved by resting and taking nitroglycerin. In this case, you need to go to the hospital immediately.
It is worth mentioning that, on the other hand, there are also some myocardial infarctions with "atypical symptoms" that cannot be ignored.For young and middle-aged men, or the elderly with underlying diseases such as peripheral nerve hypoesthesia, they may not have typical chest pain, but may only experience symptoms such as chest tightness, breathlessness after activity, and easy fatigue. At this time, the patient should also improve their symptoms. Be vigilant, seek medical examination promptly, and do not turn a blind eye.
Routine physical examination cannot rule out the risk of heart disease
High-risk groups are recommended to undergo specialist cardiac examination
Physical examination is a good way to move the prevention of various health problems forward. Nowadays, most people undergo routine physical examinations every year or every other year. Some people's physical examination packages do not include heart examinations at all. Although some people's physical examination packages include electrocardiogram items, they don't take it seriously when they see normal electrocardiogram results, thinking that they do not have heart disease. In this regard, Director Gao Xiaofei specifically pointed out that electrocardiograms and other examinations during routine physical examinations cannot be used as a basis to "rule out the risk of heart disease." Especially for high-risk groups, specialist examinations can only be carried out after a visit to a cardiac specialist and on the advice of a doctor. Talent serves as the “gold standard” for judgment.
In addition to people suffering from the "three highs" of high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high blood lipids, Director Gao Xiaofei reminded that people with abdominal obesity are also at high risk for heart disease, and regular cardiac specialist screening is necessary. "Some people are actually not fat, but have a little fat on their stomachs. People with abdominal obesity and large abdominal circumference, including people who usually lack physical exercise, will become more susceptible when they reach a certain age, such as men over 50 years old and women over 50 years old. Over the age of 60, even if there are no symptoms of chest pain, it is recommended to seek some consultation from a cardiologist."
experts remind that in addition to regular examinations to detect heart problems early and control the risk factors caused by basic diseases such as "three highs" and obesity, if you want to reduce To reduce the risk of disease, we should also start by improving our living habits. "Stop smoking and limit alcohol consumption, maintain moderate exercise, eat a balanced diet, and avoid overexertion. At the same time, you must also learn to regulate your emotions and avoid excessive tension and anxiety."
[News link] Is "self-cardiopulmonary resuscitation" reliable?
Reporters noticed that as news of sudden deaths from various heart diseases have become common in recent years, some "life-saving" methods have also been mentioned from time to time. For example, some self-media claimed that mastering "self-cardiopulmonary resuscitation" at critical moments can save one's life. The so-called "self-cardiopulmonary resuscitation" means that the patient takes deep breaths to draw oxygen into the lungs; coughs, and uses this action to squeeze the heart, thereby promoting blood circulation and helping to restore normal pulse. So is this approach really effective?
"It is unreliable and there is no evidence that it is effective." Director Gao Xiaofei emphasized in an interview with reporters that if you suspect that you may have myocardial infarction, correct self-rescue measures can improve your survival rate. The first is "If you have chest pain, call 120 as soon as possible"; the second is "For treatment of myocardial infarction, strive for the golden 120 minutes."
Picture source Visual China
At the same time, while waiting for the 120 ambulance, experts suggested that the patient himself must control his emotions and reduce his activities. The patient should immediately lie down in bed or lie down on the spot to avoid increased cardiac oxygen consumption caused by activities, emotional stress, etc. Proper and slow deep breathing can help lower the heart rate, but the deep breathing speed should not be too fast, otherwise it will cause hyperventilation. Generally, every 5 seconds is appropriate. If conditions permit, oxygen inhalation can also bring some help.
Regarding the use of drugs, experts remind that it is best to measure blood pressure when using nitroglycerin tablets and other drugs for emergency use. After confirming that the blood pressure is not low, take nitroglycerin to prevent improper medication from aggravating the condition. Especially when the patient's self-measured pulse is weak, dizzy, or sweating profusely, if there is no condition to measure blood pressure, do not blindly take nitroglycerin. As for aspirin, it is necessary to make sure that it is taken when the blood pressure is not high. If the patient's blood pressure is too high, taking large doses of aspirin may increase the risk of cerebral hemorrhage.
Experts suggest that for people who live alone, they can keep their medical records, medical insurance cards (copies) and other information in a convenient place. It is best to have allergy history, daily medication, blood pressure, blood sugar and other records in the medical records. If possible, also It is necessary to prepare blood pressure monitors, oxygen concentrators, nitroglycerin and other first aid drugs in case of emergency.
Yangzi Evening News/Ziniu News reporter Lu Yanlin
proofreading Sheng Yuanyuan
