What is a widowmaker heart attack, and why is it very deadly? The first thing that quickly comes to mind is that a widowmaker heart attack normally happens to men, thus turning their wives into overnight widows. However, the fact is that a widowmaker heart attack affects more men, but it can also attack women.
The medical term for a widowmaker is ‘ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction’, or STEMI.
What Is a Widowmaker Heart Attack?
The widowmaker is one of the deadliest kinds of heart attacks. It can happen suddenly when a major artery that supplies blood to your heart becomes partially or completely blocked. The left anterior descending (LAD) artery provides blood to a large part of your heart, carrying about 50% of your heart’s blood supply. And if blood gets 100% blocked at that critical location, you may not survive without immediate treatment.
Widowmaker Heart Attack Symptoms
The warning signs and symptoms for all heart attacks are the same. There’s no way to tell whether you’re having a widowmaker heart attack from your symptoms. These symptoms include
- Cold sweat
- Upper body pain or discomfort
- Nausea
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Lightheadedness
- Pain in the back of the jaw
- Shortness of breath
What Causes a Widowmaker Heart Attack?
Widowmaker heart attack is due to a combination of lifestyle and genetic factors. Also, when you allow cholesterol and fatty plaque to clog your arteries over time, this blocks blood flow.
Are You at Risk of Widowmaker Heart Attacks?
You’re more likely to have a heart attack if you:
- Smoke
- Are Obese
- Eat a lot of unhealthy foods
- Are older than 45 (men) or 55 (women)
- Don’t engage in exercise
- Have high blood pressure
- Have diabetes
- Have a family history of heart disease
- Use drugs such as cocaine or methamphetamine
- Have rheumatoid arthritis or lupusAre under a great deal of stress
- Have a history of preeclampsia, high blood pressure during pregnancy
Diagnosing a Widowmaker Heart Attack
Your doctor may use the following tests to diagnose if you’ve had a heart attack:
Electrocardiogram (EKG). Electrodes are placed on your body using sticky patches, and they record your heart’s electrical signals. The signals will show as waves on a screen or a paper printout.
Blood tests. A blood test will show whether you have these proteins, called cardiac markers.
Chest X-ray. An X-ray shows the condition of your lungs and heart. It will show if your heart is enlarged.
Echocardiogram: It can show how well blood is moving and whether any parts of your heart are damaged.
Coronary catheterization: A long, thin tube is inserted into an artery, usually through the groin. Using a dye, it provides a clearer picture of your arteries and where blockages may be.
Cardiac CT or MRI: These scans can help detect any damage to your heart. CT uses X-rays, while MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves.
Widowmaker Heart Attack Treatment
Getting help right away is critically important if you’ve had a heart attack.
First aid for widowmaker heart attacks
- Call the emergency number for your area before doing anything else.
- Take an aspirin if prescribed by your doctor.
- Take nitroglycerin if you have it, often prescribed for people with heart disease.
- Start CPR if the person has no pulse or isn’t breathing.
- Use an automated external defibrillator (AED) if you can find one.
Once health care providers arrive, you’ll probably get an oxygen mask to help you breathe, and you may receive medication to treat your pain, break up blood clots, and help your heart beat normally.
Surgeries and Procedures for Widowmaker Heart Attacks
At the hospital, your health care team will immediately unblock your LAD. They can perform procedures to clear the blockage and start you on a program to prevent future cardiac issues.
They may perform procedures such as:
- Coronary angioplasty and stents
- Coronary artery bypass grafting
- Valve replacement
Long-Term Management of Widowmaker Heart Attacks
Once the immediate crisis has passed, your doctor will work with you on a plan to manage your condition.
Medications
Among the drugs you might begin taking after a heart attack are:
- Statins to help lower your level of unhealthy cholesterol
- Beta-blockers, which slow your heartbeat and ease the strain on your heart
- Blood thinners, which make your blood less likely to clot
- Blood pressure drugs called ACE inhibitors to lower your blood pressure
- Nitroglycerin, which you can use to widen blood vessels if you feel chest pain or other symptoms
Cardiac rehabilitation
Cardiac rehabilitation involves monitored workouts to see how your heart is doing, advice on a heart-healthy diet, and stress management techniques. This rehabilitation can take a few weeks or a few months.
How to Prevent Widowmaker Heart Attacks
You can take steps to reduce your risk. They include:
- Don’t smoke.
- Eat a healthy diet focused on vegetables, fruits, grains, and lean proteins.
- Limit your alcohol use.
- Exercise, aim for 30 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week.
- Manage your stress.
- Stay at a healthy weight.
- Get regular checkups.
- Keep an eye on key numbers: cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar.
Can a Widowmaker Heart Attack Be Fixed?
It’s called a widowmaker because it can be life-threatening if you don’t receive immediate medical help. But a widowmaker can be fixed if you receive quick medical attention, which increases your survival rate. Likewise, medicine and lifestyle changes can reduce your chances of another heart attack.
