Cardiac arrest or heart attack: Know the difference

MANILA - Many get confused with cardiac arrest and heart attack, with most thinking that the two are just the same condition.

In an interview on DZMM's "Magandang Gabi Dok," Dr. John David Tan, a cardiologist, explained that cardiac arrest is often an effect of a heart attack.

"By the name itself (cardiac arrest), hindi na po tumitibok ang puso. Either the heart does not pump anymore, because of that, hindi na po efficient ang daloy ng dugo sa utak. That's why yung pinaka-common manifestation of sudden cardiac death is loss of consciousness, nawawalan ng malay po ang tao," he said.

"The most common cause of sudden cardiac death is heart attack. I think that was the case nung nangyari kay Direk Wenn (Deramas), sudden cardiac death due to massive heart attack," Tan added.

Heart attack is often caused by a blockage in the veins, making it difficult for blood to circulate the body.

For Tan, it is important for a heart attack patient to undergo cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as soon as possible.

"Kapag hindi na-CPR within a minute, there is a higher chance of dying every minute," he added.

Upon diagnosis of the cause of the heart attack, a person may undergo emergency angioplasty to remove the blockage.

"Binubuka po 'yung 100 percent blockage na nag-cause ng heart attack," Tan said.

Aside from giving of first aid, patients should also be aware of symptoms of heart attack, which includes chest pains, difficulty in breathing, and breaking into a cold sweat.

Deramas passed away Monday of cardiac arrest due to a heart attack.

Deramas was in a hospital to see his sister who also earlier succumbed to a heart attack.


source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

This cholesterol is good for you

MANILA – Not all cholesterol is bad for you.

Speaking on radio DZMM Tuesday, Dr. Kurt Glen Jacoba of the Philippine Heart Center said there is a form of cholesterol that may be good for the body.

Low density lipoprotein, the "bad" cholesterol, can clog arteries and blood vessels.

Meanwhile, high density lipoprotein (HDL) can eliminate the bad cholesterol from the system.

“Pag titingnan mo yung molecules ng dalawa, ang difference lang is that yung bad cholesterol, yung LDL, meron siyang konting protein, pero maraming cholesterol. Yung good cholesterol, mas madaming protein, less yung cholesterol,” he explained.

Jacoba said the clogging of arteries and other blood vessels may lead to cardiovascular diseases and heart problems.

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the Philippines.

The cardiologist explained that the best way to know your cholesterol level is to give a blood sample to a laboratory after adequate fasting.

A doctor, however, may see telltale signs of high cholesterol levels by looking at a person’s eyes using an instrument.

Whitish accumulations on the eye may indicate high cholesterol.

If your fingertips take some time to return to their normal color after you pinch them, this may also mean that some of your capillaries are clogged because of cholesterol.

Jacoba said HDL cholesterol may be obtained from the omega fatty acids in fish.

Exercise may also help reduce the amount of cholesterol in the body.

Those prone to cholesterol problems are also advised to avoid fatty foods.

When frying dishes, it may be better to use corn oil or olive oil.

Or, if it is possible, don’t fry the dishes. Steaming and other ways of cooking food are better for your health, he said. “Madami naming luto ang Pilipino na masarap eh,” he added.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com