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.
Heart failure is a condition in which the heart fails to function properly. The terms “heart failure” and “congestive heart failure (CHF)” don’t mean that the heart has actually “failed” or stopped but mean one or more chambers of the heart “fail” to keep up with the volume of blood flowing through them.
Warning signs can vary from person to person and they may not always be sudden or severe. Although chest pain or discomfort is the most common symptom of a heart attack in both men and women, some people will not experience chest pain at all, while others will experience only mild chest pain or discomfort. Others may experience one symptom, while some experience a combination.
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12 Factors that increase the risk for heart attack
1.Sweating or “cold sweat” Symptoms Area
2.Fullness, indigestion, or choking feeling
2.Nausea or vomiting
3.Chest pain or discomfort in the center of the chest; also described as a heaviness, tightness, pressure, aching, burning, numbness, fullness or squeezing feeling that lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back. It is sometimes mistakenly thought to be indigestion or heartburn.
4.Pain or discomfort in other areas of the upper body including the arms, left shoulder, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
5.Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
6.Light-headedness, dizziness, extreme weakness or anxiety
7.Rapid or irregular heart beats
8.Diabetes mellitus
9.High blood cholesterol
10.High blood pressure
11.Cigarette smoking
12.Overweight
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Since heart attack and stroke symptoms can come on suddenly and usually without any precursor, it’s imperative that you call emergency services as soon as possible if you experience any of them.
Prevention is the Key
The best way to arm yourself against heart disease is to be prepared well in advance. See your doctor regularly, and make sure you are eating a balanced and healthy diet while refraining from smoking and moderating the intake of alcohol and caffeine.
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