Heart Attack Prevention and Care in OMR Chennai: Expert Advice

Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death in India, but with the right preventive measures and timely medical care, heart attacks are largely preventable. At Iswarya Hospital in OMR, Chennai, we specialise in preventing and managing heart attacks through advanced medical care and patient education.

Understanding Heart Attack Risk Factors

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked — usually by a blood clot forming in a coronary artery narrowed by plaque. Key risk factors include:

Modifiable Risk Factors (within your control):

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High cholesterol (dyslipidaemia)
• Diabetes or insulin resistance
• Smoking and tobacco use
• Overweight or obesity
• Physical inactivity
• Chronic stress
• Unhealthy diet

Non-Modifiable Risk Factors:

• Age (men over 45, women over 55)
• Family history of heart disease
• Previous heart attack or stroke

Warning Signs of a Heart Attack

Act immediately if you or someone around you experiences:

• Chest pain, pressure, squeezing, or tightness — lasting more than a few minutes
• Pain radiating to the left arm, shoulder, neck, jaw, or back
• Shortness of breath, with or without chest pain
• Cold sweats, nausea, or lightheadedness
• Unusual fatigue, especially in women

Women may experience subtler symptoms — nausea, jaw pain, or extreme tiredness — without classic chest pain.

Heart Attack Prevention: Expert Advice from Iswarya Hospital

1. Know Your Numbers

• Blood pressure: Target < 120/80 mmHg
• LDL cholesterol: Target < 100 mg/dL (< 70 for high-risk patients)
• Blood glucose (fasting): < 100 mg/dL
• BMI: 18.5–24.9

2. Heart-Healthy Lifestyle

• Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins — limit saturated fat, salt, and sugar
• Exercise at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity
• Quit smoking — risk drops significantly within 1 year of cessation
• Limit alcohol to 1–2 units per day at most
• Manage stress with yoga, meditation, or counselling

3. Regular Cardiac Screenings

• Annual ECG and blood tests for those above 40
• Stress test (treadmill test) for those with risk factors
• Echocardiogram and coronary calcium scoring when indicated

Emergency Heart Attack Care at Iswarya Hospital

Our 24×7 cardiac emergency unit provides:

• Immediate 12-lead ECG and cardiac enzyme tests
• Rapid primary angioplasty (PPCI) — the gold standard for STEMI
• Advanced cardiac catheterisation lab available round the clock
• CCU (Coronary Care Unit) with continuous monitoring
• Post-heart attack rehabilitation programme

If you suspect a heart attack, call 044 2025 2025 immediately. Time is muscle — every minute matters.

Long-Term Management After a Heart Attack

Post-heart attack care at Iswarya Hospital includes:

• Medication review and optimisation
• Cardiac rehabilitation programme
• Lifestyle modification counselling
• Regular follow-up echocardiograms
• Secondary prevention strategies to reduce recurrence risk