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| Facts About Heart Attacks |
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 Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. CHD is caused by a narrowing of the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart, and often results in a heart attack. In This Article: Introduction to Heart Attack Who's At Risk Factors that Increase Risk of Heart Attack Limiting Heart Muscle Damage Each year, about 1.1 million Americans suffer a heart attack. About 460,000 of those heart attacks are fatal. About half of those deaths occur within 1 hour of the start of symptoms and before the person reaches the hospital. Fortunately, everyone can take steps to protect their heart and their life or that of someone else. The key is seeking medical care as soon as possible. This article will tell you about heart attack and the steps you can take to increase your chances of survival. You'll learn why a fast response to the signs of a heart attack is crucial to save lives and limit heart damage. Who's At Risk? Heart attacks strike both men and women. However, some persons are more likely than others to have a heart attack because of their "risk factors." Risk factors are behaviors or conditions that increase the chance of a disease. Some of the risk factors for heart attack are beyond your control, but most can be modified to help you lower your risk of having a first–or repeat–heart attack. Factors that increase the risk of a heart attack are: Factors you cannot control:
Factors you can control:
Risk factors do not add their effects in a simple way. Rather, they multiply each other's effects. So, it is very important to prevent or control risk factors that can be modified. If you have one or more of these factors, see your health care provider to find out how to reduce your risk of having a first or repeat heart attack. Limiting Heart Muscle Damage Treatments for a heart attack work to open the blocked artery to restore blood flow as fast as possible to prevent or limit damage to the heart muscle, and to lessen the chance of a repeat attack. The main treatments are thrombolytic ("clot-busting") therapy, other medications, and special procedures, such as angioplasty and coronary artery bypass surgery. To be most effective, these treatments must be given fast–within 1 hour of the start of heart attack symptoms. Acting fast can save your life and limit damage to your heart. Related Aricles:
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