|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Know the Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack
|
|
 |
|
|
About Heart Attack
- If the blood supply to the heart is cut off, 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. Having high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol, smoking, and having had a previous heart attack, stroke or diabetes can increase a person's chances of developing heart disease and having a heart attack.
- About 1.2 million Americans suffer a heart attack each year in the United States, including an estimated 700,000 who will have a first heart attack and 500,000 who will have a recurring heart attack.
- On average, someone in the United States suffers a heart attack every 26 seconds and every minute someone dies of a heart attack.
- About four out of ten people who have a heart attack will die from one. Of serious concern is that about two-thirds of the people who die when their heart suddenly stops working (sudden cardiac death) have no previous symptoms of this disease.
- Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the primary cause of premature, permanent disability among the U.S. workforce. The estimated average number of years of life lost due to a heart attack is 14.2 years.
- The estimated cost of CHD in 2006 is $142.5 billion in combined direct and indirect costs.
- Risk factors that can be modified or controlled include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity and excessive alcohol intake.
- It is important to recognize the signs of a heart attack and to act immediately by calling 911. A person's chances of surviving a heart attack is increased if emergency treatment is administered as soon as possible.
Symptoms of a Heart Attack
The National Heart Attack Alert Program notes these major signs of a heart attack:
- 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 lightheadedness.
If you think that you or someone you know is having a heart attack, you should call 911 immediately.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|