Heart attack
A heart attack is a life-threatening event. Each year, more than a million persons
in the U.S. have a heart attack and about half (515,000) of them die. About one-half of those who
die do so within one hour of the start of symptoms and before reaching the hospital. So,
it's extremely important to know the warning signs of a heart attack and how to get
emergency help; such knowledge can not only prevent death, but also prevent permanent heart damage
in those who survive a heart attack.
Emergency personnel can often stop a heart attack with emergency CPR
(cardiopulmonary resuscitation), defibrillation (electrical shock), and prompt advanced cardiac
life support procedures. If care is sought soon enough, blood flow in the blocked artery can be
restored in time to prevent permanent damage to the heart.Yet most people do not seek medical care
for two hours or more after symptoms begin, and many wait 12 hours or longer.
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 increasing the risk of a heart attack that can and should be controlled are:
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- High blood cholesterol
- Being overweight or obese
- Physical inactivity
- Diabetes
Heart attack warning signs
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. What's more, those who have had a heart attack before 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, which include:
- 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 can also occur before chest discomfort.
- Other symptoms. May include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or light-headedness.
Remember, even if you're not sure it's a heart attack, you should still have it checked out. Fast action can save lives, including your own.
Reducing heart attack risk
You can reduce your risk of having a heart attack even if you already have coronary heart disease (CHD) or have had a previous heart attack. The key is to take steps to prevent or control your heart disease risk factors. Start by making the following healthy lifestyle choices:
- Eat a healthy diet to prevent or reduce high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol, and maintain a healthy weight.
- If you smoke, quit.
- Exercise as directed by your doctor.
- Lose weight if you are overweight or obese.
In addition to making lifestyle changes, you can help prevent heart attacks by
treating conditions you have that make a heart attack more likely. If you have high cholesterol,
high blood pressure, or high blood sugar (diabetes), follow your doctor’s advice about keeping your
levels under control and take medications as directed.