What is a Heart Attack?
Heart Attack is also called Myocardial Infarction. It occurs when blood supply to a part of the heart is cut off, leading to death of heart muscle. Usually, it is a clot that causes the lack of blood supply. These clots tend to occur in people with preexisting arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Heart attack is a major cause of sudden death.
Heart attack is a medical emergency that requires immediate care. If you believe you or someone else may be having a heart attack it is better to be safe and call 911 immediately. Early care improves the victims chances of survival.
Prevention of Heart Attack
To prevent a heart attack:
Control your blood pressure.
Control total cholesterol levels and artery inflammation. To help with cholesterol control, your doctor may prescribe a medication of the statins group (atorvastatin, simvastatin).
Stop smoking if you smoke.
Eat a low fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in trans fat.
Control diabetes.
Lose weight if you are overweight.
Exercise daily or several times a week by walking and other exercises to improve heart fitness. (Consult your health care provider first.)
(Source: Medline Plus)
If you have one or more risk factors for heart disease, talk to your doctor about possibly taking aspirin to help prevent a heart attack. And consider keeping an AED (automatic external defibrillator) nearby
