Ischaemic Heart Disease (IHD) and Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction) are two terms often used interchangeably, but they have distinct differences. IHD refers to a condition where the blood supply to the heart muscle is reduced due to narrowed or blocked coronary arteries. On the other hand, a heart attack occurs when there is a sudden blockage in one of the coronary arteries, leading to damage or death of the heart muscle.
One key difference between IHD and a heart attack is their time frame. IHD develops gradually over time due to factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, smoking, obesity, and lack of physical activity. It may not always result in a heart attack but increases the risk significantly. In contrast, a heart attack happens suddenly and unexpectedly.
Another difference lies in their symptoms. IHD can manifest as chest pain or discomfort (angina), shortness of breath, fatigue, and even indigestion-like symptoms. These symptoms may occur during physical exertion or emotional stress and subside with rest or medication. A heart attack presents with intense chest pain that may radiate to the left arm, jaw, neck, back or stomach. Other symptoms include sweating, nausea/vomiting, lightheadedness/dizziness.
Treatment approaches also differ for these conditions. Managing IHD involves lifestyle changes such as adopting a healthy diet low in saturated fats and sodium while increasing physical activity levels. Medications like statins may be prescribed to control cholesterol levels or prevent blood clot formation. In contrast, treating a heart attack requires immediate medical attention such as administering clot-busting drugs or performing emergency procedures like angioplasty/stenting.
In conclusion, while Ischaemic Heart Disease is an underlying condition that can lead to various cardiovascular events including myocardial infarction (heart attacks), it differs from a heart attack in terms of development time frame, symptoms experienced by patients and treatment approaches. Understanding these differences is crucial for early detection, prevention, and appropriate management of these conditions.
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