Heart Diseases, The Dangers, Risks and Symptoms
A heart attack is a potentially disastrous situation in a person's life, irrevocably changing his or her life forever. Indeed, a heart attack can take your life. This year 4 to 5 million people will be evaluated in US Emergency Rooms for chest pain. Of these, 2 million will be diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome (chest pain arising from active coronary disease). 1.5 million will experience an acute heart attack. Of the 1.5 million patients suffering an acute heart attack, one-half million will die, with 50% of these deaths occurring within the first hour. Including those who die before reaching the hospital, the first prolonged attack of pain has a 34% fatality rate and in 17% of patients, it is the first, last, and only symptom. Against these staggering odds, is there any way we can prevent this disastrous outcome? Identifying those factors in our life that directly increase the risk of a heart attack is the first step in avoiding this potential 911 call.
To check your exact 10 year risk of cardiac disease, please Click Here and enter the values requested.
Are you Having a Heart Attack?
- • Are you having chest tightness?
- • Chest heaviness?
- • Shortness of breath?
- • Arm, jaw or neck pain or tightness?
- • Indigestion
- • Palpitations
- • Light Headness
- • Feeling like you’re going to pass out?
If you are having one or any of these symptoms, you may be having a heart attack. DO NOT WAIT ANOTHER MINUTE. Have it checked out by a Doctor.
- Call 911 and let the Paramedics do the work.
- Don’t drive yourself to the Emergency Department.
- By being always vigilant for these symptoms and getting medical attention promptly, you may be able to avoid a heart attack.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest
- • More than 295,000 people die of sudden cardiac death in the US annually.
- • Sudden cardiac death is the most common presentation of an acute heart attack.
- • A heart attack results from a sudden and complete occlusion of one of the arteries that supply blood to the heart tissue.
- • In sudden cardiac death, early recognition and ACTION is critical in order to save the person's life.
- • Prompt initiation of CPR and Basic Life Support (BLS) is imperative.
- • For every minute CPR is not started, there is a 7-10% rise in death.
- • More important, after 4 minutes without CPR the brain suffers irreversible injury.
Learn CPR and BLS: It may save your loved ones’ life!
Reference: ACC/AHA Guidelines for Sudden Cardiac Death and CPR.