Knowing the symptoms of a heart attack, which can be wide ranging and confusing is extremelyimportant.
January 29, 2006 (Press Release) --
New Therapy For Heart Attacks
New drugs can stop or limit the damage of a heart attack, but
only if the patient gets help immediately, experts say. Once
the flow of blood to a portion of the heart is blocked for
several hours, the damage is irreversible.
Knowing the symptoms of a heart attack, which can be wide-ranging
and confusing, is extremely important. So is knowing risk
factors, such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and family
history.
Typical symptoms of a heart attack include a crushing pain in the
chest, sweating, difficulty breathing, weakness and pain in the
arms, particularly the left. Symptoms one could attribute to
something else can cause devastating delays in seeking treatment.
These include feelings of indigestion, back shoulder and neck pain
and nausea. Early signs of trouble may appear during physical
activity and disappear with rest. Any numbness of tingling of the
fingers or toes, dizziness, shortness of breath or difficulty in
breathing should not be ignored.
Clinical studies, laboratory investigations and a number of surveys
show certain personal characteristics and life-styles pointing to
increased danger of heart attack. These danger signs are called
"risk factors." These well established risk factors are high blood
pressure, high blood cholesterol, cigarette smoking and diabetes
mellitus.
Attempts at modifying risk factors most certainly have contributed
to the declining death rate from heart attacks in the United States.
During the 1960's, U.S. death rates from heart attacks were still
rising, but today's figures show that heart attacks have fallen
dramatically. And, overall, heart-related problems have declined
about 25 percent in the last decade. This decrease undoubtedly is
due to better medical care of heart attack victims, but it is likely
that a sizable percentage is related to modification of risk factors.
Medical technology is advancing at an increasingly rapid rate. More
drugs and medical technology are available than ever before and the
entire population is now more aware of the seriousness of heart
attacks. There has been an increased interest in learning CPR and
many community organizations now offer this valuable training.
Of particular concern by doctors and researchers is the role that
the American diet plays in the health of one's heart. Obesity
predisposes individuals to coronary heart disease. Some of the
reasons for this are known, but others are not. The major causes
of obesity in Americans are excessive intake of calories and
inadequate exercise. When caloric intake is excessive, some of
the excess frequently is saturated fat, which further raises the
blood cholesterol. Thus, obesity contributes to higher coronary
risk in a variety of ways.
Many of the major risk factors for a heart attack are silent and
much of the responsibility for their detection lies with each of
us as individuals. Regular checkups are particularly necessary
if there is a family history of heart attacks or heart disease,
high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels or diabetes.
New drugs can stop or limit the damage of a heart attack, but
only if the patient gets help immediately, experts say. Once
the flow of blood to a portion of the heart is blocked for
several hours, the damage is irreversible.
Knowing the symptoms of a heart attack, which can be wide-ranging
and confusing, is extremely important. So is knowing risk
factors, such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and family
history.
Typical symptoms of a heart attack include a crushing pain in the
chest, sweating, difficulty breathing, weakness and pain in the
arms, particularly the left. Symptoms one could attribute to
something else can cause devastating delays in seeking treatment.
These include feelings of indigestion, back shoulder and neck pain
and nausea. Early signs of trouble may appear during physical
activity and disappear with rest. Any numbness of tingling of the
fingers or toes, dizziness, shortness of breath or difficulty in
breathing should not be ignored.
Clinical studies, laboratory investigations and a number of surveys
show certain personal characteristics and life-styles pointing to
increased danger of heart attack. These danger signs are called
"risk factors." These well established risk factors are high blood
pressure, high blood cholesterol, cigarette smoking and diabetes
mellitus.
Attempts at modifying risk factors most certainly have contributed
to the declining death rate from heart attacks in the United States.
During the 1960's, U.S. death rates from heart attacks were still
rising, but today's figures show that heart attacks have fallen
dramatically. And, overall, heart-related problems have declined
about 25 percent in the last decade. This decrease undoubtedly is
due to better medical care of heart attack victims, but it is likely
that a sizable percentage is related to modification of risk factors.
Medical technology is advancing at an increasingly rapid rate. More
drugs and medical technology are available than ever before and the
entire population is now more aware of the seriousness of heart
attacks. There has been an increased interest in learning CPR and
many community organizations now offer this valuable training.
Of particular concern by doctors and researchers is the role that
the American diet plays in the health of one's heart. Obesity
predisposes individuals to coronary heart disease. Some of the
reasons for this are known, but others are not. The major causes
of obesity in Americans are excessive intake of calories and
inadequate exercise. When caloric intake is excessive, some of
the excess frequently is saturated fat, which further raises the
blood cholesterol. Thus, obesity contributes to higher coronary
risk in a variety of ways.
Many of the major risk factors for a heart attack are silent and
much of the responsibility for their detection lies with each of
us as individuals. Regular checkups are particularly necessary
if there is a family history of heart attacks or heart disease,
high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels or diabetes.
Email
Print
SPAM
LEAVE A COMMENT
