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Heart Attacks
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death
for both men and women in the United States. CHD is caused
by a narrowing of the coronary arteries that supply blood
to the heart, and often results in a heart attack.
Each year, about 1.1 million Americans suffer a heart attack.
About 460,000 of those heart attacks are fatal. About half
of those deaths occur within 1 hour of the start of symptoms
and before the person reaches the hospital.
Fortunately, everyone can take steps to protect their heart–and
their life or that of someone else. The key is seeking medical
care as soon as possible.
This Web page tells you about heart attack and the steps
you can take to increase your chances of survival. You’ll
learn why a fast response to the signs of a heart attack
is crucial to save lives and limit heart damage.
What Is A Heart Attack?
The heart works 24 hours a day, pumping oxygen- and nutrient-rich
blood to the body. Blood is supplied to the heart through
its coronary arteries. In coronary heart disease (CHD), plaques
or fatty substances build up inside the walls of the arteries.
The plaques also attract blood components, which stick to
the artery wall lining. Called atherosclerosis, the process
develops gradually, over many years. It often begins early
in life, even in childhood.
The fatty buildup or plaque can break open and lead to the
formation of a blood clot that seals the break. The clot
reduces blood flow. The cycle of fatty buildup, plaque rupture,
and blood clot formation causes the coronary arteries to
narrow, reducing blood flow.
When too little blood reaches the heart, the condition is
called ischemia. Chest pain, or angina, may occur. The pain
can vary in occurrence and be mild and intermittent, or more
pronounced and steady. It can be severe enough to make normal
everyday activities difficult. The same inadequate blood
supply also may cause no symptoms, a condition called silent
ischemia.
If a blood clot suddenly cuts off most or all blood supply
to the heart, a heart attack results. Cells in the heart
muscle that do not receive enough oxygen-carrying blood begin
to die. The more time that passes without treatment to restore
blood flow, the greater the damage to the heart.
Who's At Risk?
Heart attacks strike both men and women. However, some persons
are more likely than others to have a heart attack because
of their "risk factors." Risk factors are behaviors or conditions
that increase the chance of a disease. Some of the risk factors
for heart attack are beyond your control, but most can be
modified to help you lower your risk of having a first–or
repeat–heart attack.
Factors that increase the risk of a heart attack are:
Factors you cannot control
- Pre-existing coronary heart diseases, including a previous
heart attack, a prior angioplasty or bypass surgery, or
angina
- Age-In men, the risk increases after age 45; in women,
the risk increases after age 55.
- Family history of early heart disease-a father or brother
diagnosed before age 55; or a mother or sister diagnosed
before age 65
Factors you can control
- Smoking.
- High blood pressure.
- High blood cholesterol.
- Overweight and obesity.
- Physical inactivity.
- Diabetes.
Risk factors do not add their effects in a simple way. Rather,
they multiply each other’s effects. So, it is very
important to prevent or control risk factors that can be
modified. If you have one or more of these factors,
see your health care provider to find out how to reduce your
risk of having a first or repeat heart attack.
Heart Attack Warning Signs
A heart attack is a frightening event, and you probably don't
want to think about it. But, if you learn the signs of a
heart attack and what steps to take, you can save a life–maybe
your own.
What are the signs of a heart attack? Many people think
a heart attack is sudden and intense, like a "movie" heart
attack, where a person clutches his or her chest and falls
over.
The truth is that many heart attacks start slowly, as a
mild pain or discomfort. If you feel such a symptom, you
may not be sure what's wrong. Your symptoms may even come
and go. Even those who have had a heart attack may not recognize
their symptoms, because the next attack can have entirely
different ones.
It's vital that everyone learn the warning signs
of a heart attack. These are:
- Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks
involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts
for more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
The discomfort can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing,
fullness, or pain.
- Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Can
include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back,
neck, jaw, or stomach.
- Shortness of breath. Often comes along
with chest discomfort. But it also can occur before chest
discomfort.
- Other symptoms. May include breaking
out in a cold sweat, nausea, or light-headedness.
Learn the signs–but also remember: Even if you're
not sure it's a heart attack, you should still have it checked
out. Fast action can save lives-maybe your own.
To read the rest of this excellent article, and related
materials, please click here: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/actintime/aha/aha.htm
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