The Glowing Heart of Galaxy NGC 1097

 Take a moment to admire this stunning infrared image captured by the Very Large Telescope, which has an impressive 8.2-meter mirror. At the heart of the photo lies a bright inner ring of stars encircling the core of the galaxy NGC 1097. This fascinating galaxy sits about 45 million light-years away from us in the constellation Fornax.

The darker regions visible in the image show clouds of gas and cosmic dust spiraling toward the supermassive black hole at the galaxy’s center, slowly feeding its immense power.

Can a heart attack be stopped while it's happening?

 Yes, a heart attack can sometimes be stopped or its damage significantly reduced if treated immediately.

The key is rapid recognition of symptoms and calling emergency services without delay, every minute counts, as heart tissue begins to die within minutes of blocked blood flow. Emergency responders may administer aspirin to thin the blood and nitroglycerin to relieve chest pain and improve blood flow.

Once at the hospital, doctors may perform a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), commonly known as angioplasty, where a catheter is used to open the blocked artery and often place a stent to keep it open. In some cases where PCI isn’t available, clot-busting drugs called thrombolytics are administered to dissolve the blockage. Oxygen therapy and medications like beta-blockers or ACE inhibitors are used to reduce heart strain and prevent further damage.

If treatment begins within the “golden hour,” the chances of survival and full recovery greatly improve. However, delaying care even by 30 minutes can lead to irreversible damage or fatal complications.

Remain Blessed & Keep Safe…

What is the best daily diet for a healthy heart?

 A heart-healthy diet emphasizes whole, minimally processed foods and a balance of nutrients to protect your cardiovascular system. Eat plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables every day, as they provide fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that lower heart disease risk.

Choose whole grains like brown rice, oats, and wholemeal bread instead of refined grains, as these help control cholesterol and blood pressure. Focus on healthy protein sources, especially plant-based options such as beans, lentils, nuts, and seeds; include fish or seafood at least twice a week, and limit red meat and processed meats. Use liquid plant oils like olive or canola oil for cooking, rather than butter, lard, or tropical oils such as coconut and palm oil.

Keep added sugars and salt to a minimum by avoiding sugary drinks, sweets, and processed foods. Opt for low-fat or fat-free dairy products if you consume dairy, and choose unflavored varieties without added sugar. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation, but it's best not to start if you don't already drink.

Maintaining a healthy body weight through portion control and regular physical activity is also crucial for heart health.

Additionally, staying hydrated with water instead of sugary beverages supports overall cardiovascular function.

Lastly, practicing mindful eating-paying attention to hunger and fullness cues can help prevent overeating and promote long-term heart health.

Remain Blessed & Stay Safe…

What are the symptoms of a massive heart attack?

 A massive heart attack, also known as a STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction), presents with intense and often sudden chest pain or pressure, typically described as a squeezing or crushing sensation in the center or left side of the chest.

This pain may radiate to other parts of the body such as the left arm, neck, jaw, or back, and it often lasts longer than a few minutes or comes and goes. Shortness of breath can occur even at rest, caused by the heart’s inability to pump efficiently due to the blockage. Nausea, vomiting, and a cold sweat are also common and may mimic symptoms of indigestion, especially in women.

The individual may feel lightheaded or dizzy, which could indicate a drop in blood pressure or inadequate blood flow to the brain. A sense of impending doom or extreme anxiety is frequently reported just before or during the attack.

In some cases, especially among older adults or people with diabetes, the symptoms may be subtler, known as a “silent” heart attack.

Immediate medical attention is critical, as delays can lead to irreversible heart damage or death.

Remain Blessed & Keep Safe

What happens to our brain when our heart stops beating?

 

Within 30 seconds of cardiac arrest, the brain stops functioning and we are clinically dead. But studies show that consciousness continues to function for another 3 minutes .

During this time, the brain floods us with memories from our past in an attempt to make us cling to life and push us to react. This mechanism is the basis of near-death experiences .

Southampton University has dedicated a study to near-death experiences, in particular to what is called out-of-body (literally «out of the body», or the sensation that one's soul detaches from the body and observes the room from above). To do so, it took into consideration 2060 patients from 15 hospitals in the United Kingdom, the USA and Austria.

Among the various conclusions, it was found that as soon as the heart stops beating, a part of the brain continues to function for a few minutes, giving us awareness of what is happening around us: and this explains the "near-death experience".

If the heart stops pumping blood, the first emotion that comes to mind is fear . This is the danger signal that the brain tries to give us. At this point, the thalamus sends impulses to the entire body to put it on alert: the consequence is the release of glucose, adrenaline and cortisol. It is the typical defense mechanism that our body uses to make us react to fear.

If the alarm signals don't work, the heart stops beating and we are technically dead, also because the brain usually stops responding 20-30 seconds after cardiac arrest and does not resume until our involuntary muscle starts hammering again. But studies show that awareness continues for about 3 minutes.

Going into specifics, a part of the brain obsessively stimulates memories of one's life and does so in a chaotic way, overlapping them without any chronological order.

We know that the body always reacts for one purpose, that is, survival . Why then does the brain project these memories to us just before it shuts down?

The reason is to push us to fight for life. By showing us our past, the brain tries to make us understand what we are losing and to get the body to react at its maximum capacity . Sometimes it works and the body continues to react for a few precious moments, giving time for rescuers to intervene.

4 Signs of an Impending Heart Attack You Should Never Ignore

 A heart attack isn’t always like what you see in movies, where someone grabs their chest and falls to the ground. In real life, the signs can be mild and show up slowly. Knowing these early symptoms could help save your life or someone else’s.

I once had a patient, a 52-year-old man, who came to the clinic complaining of "mild indigestion" and feeling unusually fatigued for a week. He brushed it off, assuming it was just stress. A few days later, he suffered a heart attack. Luckily, he got to the hospital in time, but his story is a powerful reminder—never ignore your body's signals.

How to Suspect a Heart Attack

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to part of the heart is reduced or blocked, causing damage to the heart muscle. Chest pain is the most common symptom, but it’s not always present. Here are four key warning signs:

1. Chest Discomfort

This is the classic symptom, but it doesn’t always feel like severe pain. Many describe it as pressure, tightness, or squeezing in the chest. It can last for a few minutes or come and go.

2. Pain Spreading to Other Areas

Heart attack pain isn’t just in the chest. It can spread to the shoulders, arms (especially the left arm), back, neck, jaw, or even the stomach. Some people mistake it for muscle pain or heartburn.

3. Shortness of Breath & Unusual Fatigue

Feeling out of breath for no clear reason or feeling exhausted even after light activity can be early signs, especially in women. Some people experience extreme weakness or dizziness before an attack.

4. Nausea, Cold Sweats, or Lightheadedness

Some heart attacks cause sweating, nausea, or vomiting, often mistaken for food poisoning or the flu. Feeling lightheaded or fainting can also be a red flag.

What To Do If You Notice These Signs

• Call emergency services immediately. Time is critical. Don’t try to “wait it out.”
• Chew and swallow aspirin (325mg). It helps thin the blood and prevent further clotting.
• Stay calm and rest. Avoid any strenuous activity and sit in a comfortable position.
• If the person is unconscious, start CPR while waiting for emergency services.

Preventing a Heart Attack: Simple Lifestyle Tips

• Eat a heart-healthy diet – More fruits, veggies, lean proteins, and less processed food.
• Exercise regularly – Even a 30-minute walk can improve heart health.
• Manage stress – Chronic stress can increase heart disease risk.
• Quit smoking – One of the biggest risk factors for heart attacks.
• Get regular checkups – Monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.

Heart attacks don’t always announce themselves dramatically. Listen to your body, act fast, and spread awareness. You never know whose life you might save.