Heart Attack signs and symptoms, be ready for the unexpected.

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Heart attack!!!

Millions die of heart attacks every year

Each year, ≈1.1 million Americans experience a heart attack; ≈460 000 of them are fatal. Of those who die, almost half do so suddenly, before they can get to a hospital. Although a heart attack is a frightening event, if you learn the signs of a heart attack and what steps to take, you can save a life—perhaps even your own. -information taken from the American Heart Association.

Heart attacks are more common than you'd think

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What kind of problems or conditions can lead to a heart attack?

Obesity
cigarette smoking
Diabetes
Family history of heart attacks or heart conditions
Stress
Trauma (like a car accident, or serious injury)
High blood pressure and cholesterol
Physical inactivity (which a lot of people don't consider to be a cause)
Drug use (mainly with amphetamines or speed, such as cocaine or meth)

What is happening?

how-to-recognize-signs-of-a-heart-attack

What happens during a heart attack?

A blood clot or plaque is created in an artery, preventing blood from flowing through the way it should. Think of it as water flowing through a hose and being unable to do so. A kink in a hose so to speak, but these kinks are your blood vessels or arteries. This blockage causes the heart not to receive the blood it needs to live. When this happens, heart muscles begin to die.

How to recognize the warning signs of a heart attack?

Shortness of breath-sometimes with or without pains in the chest

Chest discomfort-this is most common and occurs in the center of the chest. Pain may last a few minutes, then go away, but it will come back. Most common descriptions are pressure or squeezing, pain, and fullness

Pain and discomfort in the upper half of the body-which may include, your neck, back, jaw, one or both arms and stomach pain

Other not so common signs-nausea, vomiting, becoming lightheaded, and having cold sweats

Cardiac arrest-victim will not respond when tapping on both shoulders

Fast or slow and what do to!

Most people think that heart attacks primarily occur in men, that is not true. Men and women are equally affected, and heart attacks usually are more common when you are over 50 years of age, but can occur in any age group. People also think that heart attacks come on suddenly without much warning, and that is true. But it's not just a matter of someone grabbing their chest in pain and keeling over dead. Some heart attacks do have a very quick onset. However, it's much more common for a heart attack to start off slowly. Most people are unaware of what is going on, and don't react in time when symptoms begin, because they don't realize what they actually are. This usually makes getting immediate medical care a lot harder, and delayed.

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Even if you are unsure of your symptoms, it's best to have them checked out, and speak with your doctor if you believe you are at a higher or predisposed rick for a heart attack.

We are lucky to have 911 services for health and medical emergencies, and every second counts if you are having a heart attack. Don't waste time. Call 911 as soon as possible for yourself, or for someone you suspect is having a heart attack. It's better to be wrong, then dead.

Timing is everything. Getting proper treatment is imperative. Not only can you possibly save your life or the life of another by calling 911, but paramedics can use special equipment and medications to restart a heart onsite if needed, and can get you transported to a hospital quickly and provide medical care in transit. Not only that but hospitals can be alerted of your coming arrival and prepare for faster treatment.

If for any reason, you cannot call 911, ask someone to drive you to the nearest hospital immediately.

Blood pressure monitors

Be prepared

Be familiar with the warning signs
Have emergency numbers and lists of medications you are on in a place where someone can find it.
If the heart attack is drug related, be honest with what recreational drugs you use and or abuse
Talk to your doctor about any predisposed conditions that would lead to a heart attack, or what your personal heart attack risks may be
Ask for a preventative plan, such as exercise, or taking Bayer, or a small dose of baby aspirin
Make it a priority to have regular physicals and stress tests
Consider buying a blood pressure monitor to keep in your home
Consider getting Life Alert if you have an elderly loved one that lives alone and would benefit from Life Alert services.

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