Heart attacks have increased in frequency over the past few years and are potentially lethal. They are typically influenced by a variety of hereditary and lifestyle issues. While all heart attacks are catastrophic and require rapid medical assistance, the most hazardous of all is a STEMI (ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction), or a widowmaker heart attack, as it is generally known. Widowmaker is an etymological term for “anything lethally harmful,” according to Etymology Dictionary.
“Such a scary-sounding name is coined in American slang to denote the deadly nature of this heart attack. This may help sensitize people to seek early help, thus, improve survival,” according to Dr. Pradeep Haranahalli, Consultant – Interventional Cardiologist, Manipal Hospital, Whitefield, Bangalore.
A widowmaker’s heart attack is one in which the left anterior descending (LAD) artery, the largest artery in your heart, is completely blocked
A widowmaker heart attack, though, what is that? It is a form of a heart attack in which the left anterior descending (LAD) artery, the largest artery in your heart, is completely blocked. Dr. Venkatesh T. K., Senior Interventional Cardiologist at Apollo Hospitals in Bangalore, went into more detail about this, stating that the heart is a living muscle bag that requires oxygen, nourishment, and other important components to function properly. They are delivered to the heart muscle by coronary arteries, living blood vessels.
“There are two coronary arteries – left and right coronary arteries. The left coronary artery divides into the left anterior descending artery and the left circumflex artery. The left anterior descending artery (LAD), supplies 50 percent of heart muscle blood. A widowmaker heart attack happens when a full blockage of the heart’s large artery-left anterior descending artery (LAD) occurs,” he added, sharing that a widowmaker heart attack is immediately life-threatening.
Agreeing, Dr. Narayan Gadkar, Consultant Cardiologist, Zen Multispeciality Hospital, Chembur said, “Timely treatment is essential to save the life of the patient. It is fatal and one shouldn’t neglect it at any cost.”
A blood clot or accumulation of cholesterol might suddenly block the LAD artery
Dr. Venkatesh explained that a blood clot or accumulation of cholesterol might suddenly block the LAD artery and result in a widowmaker heart attack. Alternatively, the blood clot may grow on top of the cholesterol build-up. “Just blockage does not induce a heart attack. It’s crucial for blood to clot on top of a blockage. Without provoking an attack, a person may experience a blockage that grows over time and eventually reaches 100% blockage. However, a heart attack occurs when the blood supply to the muscle suddenly stops, causing damage and eventual death to the heart muscle, which may be blocked to any degree (20-30% or 90%),” Dr. Bharat V Purohit, Director, Cath Lab, and Senior Consultant, Interventional Cardiologist, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad added.
The fact that this heart attack is immediately life-threatening makes it distinct from others. “Fifty percent of heart attack deaths occurred in the first few hours after symptoms begin. The massive and significant left anterior descending (LAD) artery, which supplies more than 50% of the blood to the heart muscle, becomes blocked in the early phase of this type of heart attack, unexpectedly depriving a significant portion of the heart muscle of blood. According to Dr. Venkatesh, this can result in instant death and 10% of those who survive don’t live past a year.
Dr. Gadkar agreed and emphasized that the widowmaker artery provides a larger portion of the heart muscle than other arteries, making the harm, complications, and consequences of its obstruction more severe. Experts also listed factors that make a person more prone to a widowmaker heart attack. “Certain factors such as being than age 45, having a family history of heart problems, poor eating habits, smoking, a lack of physical activity, being diagnosed with obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol can raise the risk of widowmaker heart attack,” Dr. Gadkar said.
What signs would indicate a widowmaker heart attack?
As per the doctors, the symptoms are similar to any other kind of heart attack, which include:
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Profuse sweating
- Loss of consciousness, giddiness
- Pain in arms, shoulders, neck, jaw or back
- Extreme weakness or fatigue
- Upset stomach
The risk of a widowmaker heart attack can be reduced by consuming a heart-healthy diet, Dr. Venkatesh said. “Eating foods to avoid saturated fat is important. It is also important to limit sugar intake. Management of diabetes and keeping the three-month average of blood sugar (HbA1 C) is very important. It is possible to lower your blood pressure and control high blood pressure by adopting new eating habits, such as calculating calories and watching portion sizes. Following the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), which is an eating plan rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, poultry, nuts, legumes, and low-fat dairy.”
He shared that these food items are high in key nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, fiber, and protein. “The DASH diet can lower blood pressure because it has less salt and sugar. The DASH diet cuts out packaged and junk food, desserts, sweetened beverages, fats, red meat and processed meats. High cholesterol should be controlled with diet, drugs and exercise,” he added. In addition to watching what you eat, you should also stop smoking, exercise five days a week for at least 30 minutes, and maintain a healthy weight.