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HEART ATTACK DESCRIPTION |
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Heart attack is the leading cause of death in the United States.
More than 1.5 million Americans suffer a heart attack every year,
and almost half a million die, according to the American Heart
Association. Most heart attacks are the end result of years of
silent but progressive coronary artery disease, which can be
prevented in many people. A heart attack is often the first symptom
of coronary artery disease. According to the American Heart
Association, 63% of women and 48% of men who died suddenly of
coronary artery disease had no previous symptoms. Heart attacks are
also called myocardial infarctions (MIs). A heart attack occurs when one or more of the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart are completely blocked and blood to the heart muscle is cut off. The blockage is usually caused by atherosclerosis, the build-up of plaque in the artery walls, and/or by a blood clot in a coronary artery. Sometimes, a healthy or atherosclerotic coronary artery has a spasm and the blood flow to part of the heart decreases or stops. Why this happens is unclear, but it can result in a heart attack. About half of all heart attack victims wait at least two hours before seeking help. This increases their chance of sudden death or being disabled. The longer the artery remains blocked during a heart attack, the more damage will be done to the heart. If the blood supply is cut-off severely or for a long time, muscle cells suffer irreversible injury and die. The patient can die. That is why it is important to recognize the signs of a heart attack and seek prompt medical attention at the nearest hospital with 24-hour emergency cardiac care. About one fifth of all heart attacks are silent, that is, the victim does not know one has occurred. Although the victim feels no pain, silent heart attacks can still damage the heart. The outcome of a heart attack also depends on where the blockage is, whether the heart rhythm is disturbed, and whether another coronary artery supplies blood to that part of the heart. Blockages in the left coronary artery are usually more serious than in the right coronary artery. Blockages that cause an arrhythmia, an irregular heartbeat, can cause sudden death. |
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