Did You Know These 9 Facts About Heart Attacks?

1. In the U.S., there is 1 heart attack every 40 seconds.

Every 40 seconds someone in the U.S. has a heart attack. Of these, approximately 805,000 die. While the idea of having a heart attack is scary, it’s important to learn the signs and causes so you can be prepared if you or someone you know is vulnerable.

2. What causes a heart attack?

Heart attacks are mainly caused by coronary heart disease and coronary artery spasm. They occur when the blood can't reach heart tissue because of a blockage. A blockage could be caused by a clot (blood or plaque) or if the artery spasms and tightens up so the blood can't pass through. While these are not the only causes, they are the most common ones.

3. Cardiac arrest vs heart attack

Heart attacks and cardiac arrests sound like they could be the same thing. But this isn’t the case. Someone having a heart attack will usually feel pain, burning or pressure in the chest and may lose consciousness. The pain may extend down the left arm, or go up to the jaw or through to the back. Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops pumping blood entirely. It causes death if the heart is not restarted within three to five minutes.

4. Risk factors for a heart attack

Coronary heart disease can run in families. If heart disease runs in your family, you can still lower your risk by avoiding three main risk factors: smoking, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Following a healthy diet can help you maintain a healthy weight or lose weight if you need. This may help reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol. There are also several medications that help lower both high blood pressure and cholesterol.

5. Common signs of a heart attack

The most common sign of a heart attack is chest pain. The pain can last for a few minutes off and on, or be constant. It can occur at random times, including when you are relaxing. Someone having a heart attack may also feel pressure in the upper back, neck, jaw or even the stomach. Another sign is shortness of breath.

6. Women may experience different symptoms

Women may have “atypical” symptoms of a heart attack, meaning they may not feel chest pain or pressure. They are more likely to complain of nausea, vomiting and fatigue. According to American Heart Association, the fatigue is caused by the stress placed on the body while trying to pump blood through the blockage to the heart.

7. What will happen at the hospital?

You may feel overwhelmed by the attention, but a heart attack is a medical emergency, requiring rapid treatment. Treatment for a heart attack depends on the cause. Some people recover on their own. Others may receive a clot-busting medication to dissolve the clot. If a blockage is still there, however, two surgical options are angioplasty (a long catheter inserted into an artery can remove the clot and insert a stent to keep the artery open) or bypass surgery, so the blood avoids the blocked artery.

8. Recovering post-heart attack

As you recover from your heart attack, speak to your doctor about what lifestyle changes you can make to reduce the risk of a second one. You may be referred to a cardiac rehabilitation program. These programs focus on exercise, counseling to reduce stress, and education about what it means to live heart healthy. Be sure to follow any treatment plan, including taking medications, because if you’ve had one heart attack, a second one becomes more likely.

9. Preventing a heart attack

Whether you have had a heart disease or not, lowering the risk factors is essential to preventing one in the future. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, managing stress and taking care of your body overall will help your heart. If you have a heart disease, a family history of heart disease, or any condition that could increase your risk of heart attack, talk to your doctor to see if any available medication or treatment is available.

Original article by Medical Daily.