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Complications After A Heart Attack
Sometimes there are complications following a heart attack. Many problems resolve themselves quite quickly however sometimes problems linger and can often be helped by the use of drugs.
The most common problems after a heart attack are:
Pacemakers
The heart's natural electrical rhythm is sometimes damaged by a heart attack. This is called an arrhythmia. Sometimes it is necessary to insert a temporary pacemaker for a few days until this settles down.
A pacemaker is a special electrode that is inserted to allow the heart to beat regularly when its own natural pacemaker has been affected. The electrode is attached to a small box that has to be carried around with you. Occasionally this has to become permanent and a tiny pacemaker is inserted under the skin.
If the heart develops a rhythm that could be life threatening, an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) may be suggested. This is similar to a pacemaker but delivers different treatments.
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Chest pain/ angina
Sometimes damage to blood vessels can lead to angina. Angina is chest pain that is caused by insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle.
Angina can occur before or after a heart attack, as there may be one or more of the coronary arteries narrowed. Your doctor may suggest a test called an angiogram to look at the coronary arteries in more detail.
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Heart failure
When there has been severe damage to a large area of heart muscle, the pumping action is not sufficient to meet the body's demands for blood and oxygen.
When this happens it is referred to as heart failure because of the failure of the heart to work efficiently. Symptoms such as fluid retention, tiredness and breathlessness can result.
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