Taking a cold shower after exercise can be a fatal cause of heart attack! These heart attack warnings should not be ignored

Mr. Liu, 47 years old, loves sports, especially playing basketball with a few friends. Recently, the weather was hot, and after playing basketball, he chose to take a cold shower to cool down. Unexpectedly, this bucket of cold water, although refreshing, triggered a tragedy - Mr. Liu soon developed persistent chest tightness , and after a few hours, he also had chest pain , and was eventually diagnosed with myocardial infarction . Despite the emergency intervention of the doctor, Mr. Liu died due to ineffective rescue. Mr. Liu's family expressed confusion: " He has always been in good health, how could he die just because of a cold shower? "

Director Liu of the Department of Cardiology at the Chengdu Second People's Hospital explained this: In a high temperature environment, the human body's pores open to dissipate heat. The sudden shock of cold water will not only cause the pores to close suddenly, but also stimulate the body's sympathetic nervous system, causing blood pressure to soar, arrhythmias , and even triggering a fatal crisis of myocardial infarction.

Myocardial infarction: Not a "killer" without signs

Cardiovascular disease has become the leading cause of death from disease in China. According to statistics, one in five adults suffers from cardiovascular disease, and the shadow of myocardial infarction hangs over countless families.

Myocardial infarction, also known as acute myocardial infarction, is caused by acute occlusion of coronary arteries, leading to myocardial ischemia and hypoxia , which in turn causes myocardial necrosis. In severe cases, it can rapidly progress to heart failure, shock and even sudden death.

However, a heart attack is not without warning. Before it actually occurs, the body often sends out a series of subtle signals.

Those ignored distress signals

The onset of myocardial infarction is not without signs. Its precursors may appear one month, one week, or even a few hours before the onset of the disease.

Common typical symptoms include severe pain behind the sternum or in front of the heart, accompanied by a feeling of oppression or tightness, as if a heavy object is pressing on the chest, accompanied by profuse sweating and a strong sense of impending death.

But in addition to these typical manifestations, there are also some atypical symptoms, such as toothache, upper limb pain, abdominal pain , etc., which are often misdiagnosed or ignored, delaying the best time for treatment.

Even more insidious are symptoms such as dizziness, headache, left upper limb weakness, blurred vision, hearing loss, unexplained feeling of restraint, sudden fatigue and drowsiness , which may be related to cardiovascular disease but are often mistaken for other minor problems.

For example, the numbness and pain in the left shoulder blade and left upper limb may be a faint cry for help from the heart; sudden hearing loss in both ears may also be an early sign of angina pectoris. These subtle signs are the body's way of reminding us that the heart is facing a crisis.

The 8 main causes of myocardial infarction

1. Bad living habits: smoking, drinking, staying up late and other behaviors are risk factors for inducing myocardial infarction.

2. Underlying diseases: Patients with chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia have a significantly increased risk of myocardial infarction.
3. Seasonal changes: Low temperatures in winter cause blood vessels to constrict, increasing the risk of myocardial infarction.

4. Physical trauma: Neuroendocrine imbalance after surgery or trauma may also induce myocardial infarction.

5. Overwork: Long-term, high-intensity physical or mental labor increases the burden on the heart.

6. Emotional fluctuations: Emotional fluctuations such as anger, tension, extreme joy and sorrow can lead to a sudden rise in blood pressure and myocardial ischemia.

7. Overeating: After a meal, metabolism accelerates, blood flows to the digestive system, and blood supply to the heart decreases.

8. Bowel habits: Straining during bowel movements can cause a sudden increase in abdominal pressure, which may induce a heart attack.

How to save yourself?

When a heart attack occurs, every minute is crucial. Director Liu of the Department of Cardiology at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine recommends:

• Take emergency medicine: Immediately take nitroglycerin or quick-acting heart-saving pills sublingually.

• Dial 120: explain the situation, choose a hospital that can treat the condition quickly and effectively, and strive to get professional rescue in the shortest time possible.

• Rest quietly: Lie down in a comfortable position and wait for the ambulance. Stay calm and avoid any movement to avoid putting more strain on your heart.

In short, myocardial infarction is not completely unpreventable. In daily life, pay attention to self-health management, identify the warning signs of myocardial infarction, take active preventive measures, master the necessary self-help knowledge, and do not let myocardial infarction become the end of your life.