Can an allergy also cause a heart attack? Let's know what the doctors say:

News Topical, Digital Desk : Usually heart attack is associated with cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking or stress (Heart Attack Causes), but the recent death of famous businessman and Karisma Kapoor's ex-husband Sanjay Kapoor has raised a new question in front of everyone. Can a bee sting cause a heart attack (Can Allergies Cause Heart attack)? To know about this, we spoke to Dr. Ashish Kumar (Senior Consultant Cardiology, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad). Let's know what he said about this.

The doctor said that this is a very rare condition, but it can happen (Allergic Reaction Heart attack Risk). This is called 'Kounis Syndrome'. In this, a heart attack can occur due to an allergy. Actually, an allergic reaction can cause spasm or blockage in the arteries, which can cause a heart attack.

What is Kounis syndrome?

Kounis syndrome is a condition in which an allergic or hypersensitivity reaction causes acute coronary syndrome (ACS). It can cause angina (chest pain), heart attack (myocardial infarction) and spasm of the coronary arteries (vasospasm). This problem occurs when histamine, leukotrienes and other chemicals are released in the body during an allergic reaction, which affect the arteries of the heart.

How does a bee sting or allergy cause a heart attack?

Coming in contact with a bee sting or any other allergen (such as some medicines, foods, latex) can cause a severe allergic reaction in the body.

Coronary vasospasm (narrowing of the arteries) - Chemicals released due to allergies narrow the arteries of the heart, which reduces blood flow.
Plaque rupture: If there is already cholesterol buildup in your arteries, an allergic reaction can cause the plaque to become unstable and rupture, forming a blood clot and leading to a heart attack.
Stent thrombosis (blood clot in the stent) – In patients who have stents inserted in their arteries, a blood clot may form inside the stent due to allergy.

What are the symptoms of Kounis syndrome?

In Kounis syndrome, allergy and heart related symptoms can appear simultaneously, such as-

Severe pain or heaviness in the chest
Difficulty in breathing
Skin rashes, itching or swelling
Drop in blood pressure or dizziness
ST elevation on ECG (reported as heart attack)
Increased troponin levels (a sign of damage to the heart muscle)

It is important to keep these things in mind

Immediate treatment is necessary- If someone has chest pain after a bee sting or allergy, contact a doctor immediately.
Allergy Testing- After recovery, it is important to get allergy testing done so that you can find out what you are allergic to and avoid it in the future.
Carry an EpiPen with you – People who have a problem of severe allergic reactions should carry an EpiPen injection with them.

Although Kounis syndrome is quite rare, it can be fatal. If someone is allergic to bee stings, medicines or food items and also has chest pain, do not ignore it. It is important to seek medical help immediately.