What causes Heart Attacks ? Although cardio-vascular disease is caused by many factors, high levels of Cholesterol in the blood has a major influence on the health of the cardio vascular system.

High levels of cholesterol in the blood cause fatty deposits in the arteries that can lead to blockages and damage to the heart.

So what is a high level ? Your annual examination at your doctors may include a simple blood test to check your cholesterol levels. Most tests have to be done after a fasting period – no food or drink other than water for between 12 and 14 hours.It is usual for the results to take a few days to be returned.

It is generally accepted that a total cholesterol level of over 200mg may cause problems in your cardio vascular system.

There are 3 components of cholesterol that are commonly measured LDL, HDL and Tryglycerides. Cholesterol generally has to be transported to and from the cells by carriers called lipoproteins.

Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is known as ?bad? cholesterol.

High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is known as ?good? cholesterol.

These two types of lipids, along with triglycerides, make up your total cholesterol count.

Bad or LDL Cholesterol – If excessive LDL cholesterol circulates in the blood, it will slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain. This, together with other substances can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that narrows the arteries and makes them less flexible. This condition is known as atherosclerosis, which if a clot forms and blocks a narrowed artery, heart attack or stroke can result.

Good or HDL Cholesterol – 25 to 35% of cholesterol in the blood is high-density lipoprotein (HDL). It is called good cholesterol, because high levels seem to protect against heart attack. Low levels of HDL (less than 40 mg/dL) also actually increase the risk of heart disease.

Triglycerides are fats made in the body. High levels of tryglycerides are also known factors in people with diabetes and are what causes heart attacks .

Cholesterol is measured by milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). Usually, only the total cholesterol amount is given when a person is tested for cholesterol. Sometimes you are given the HDL cholesterol and the total cholesterol results.

The guidance from the American Heart Association shows that….

Total Blood (or Serum) Cholesterol Level should be less than 200 mg/dL.

If your LDL, HDL, and triglyceride levels are also at desirable levels and you have no other risk factors for heart disease, total blood cholesterol below 200 mg/dL puts you at relatively low risk of heart attack and coronary heart disease. It is still advisable to eat a heart-healthy diet, take regular exercise and no smoking.

200-239 mg/dL:- Medium to High Risk

With total cholesterol of between 200 and 239 mg/dL, your doctor will evaluate your levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, and triglycerides. It is possible to have borderline-high total cholesterol numbers with normal levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol balanced by high HDL (good) cholesterol.

240 mg/dL and over:- High Risk

A total cholesterol level of 240 mg/dL or more typically have twice the risk of coronary heart disease as people whose cholesterol level is desirable (200 mg/dL).

Your LDL (Bad) Cholesterol Level

The lower your LDL cholesterol, the lower your risk of heart attack and stroke. In fact, it is a better gauge of risk than total blood cholesterol. In general, LDL levels fall into these categories:

LDL Cholesterol Levels

Less than 100 mg/dL Optimal

100 to 129 mg/dL Near Optimal to Above Optimal

130 to 159 mg/dL Borderline High

160 to 189 mg/dL High

190 mg/dL and above Very High

Your HDL (Good) Cholesterol Level

With HDL (good) cholesterol, higher levels are better. Low HDL cholesterol (less than 40 mg/dL for men, less than 50 mg/dL for women) puts you at higher risk for heart disease.

Smoking, being overweight, and being sedentary can all result in lower HDL cholesterol. To raise your HDL level, avoid tobacco smoke, maintain a healthy weight and get at least 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity more days than not.

People with high blood triglycerides usually also have lower HDL cholesterol and a higher risk of heart attack and stroke.

Your Triglyceride Level

Triglyceride is a form of fat. People with high triglycerides often have a high total cholesterol level, including high LDL (bad) cholesterol and low HDL (good) cholesterol levels.

Your triglyceride level will fall into one of these categories:

Normal: less than 150 mg/dL

Borderline-High: 150-199 mg/dL

High: 200-499 mg/dL

Very High: 500 mg/dL

Many people have high triglyceride levels due to being overweight/obese, lack of physical activity, cigarette smoking, excess alcohol consumption, and/or a diet very high in carbohydrates (60 percent of more of their daily calories).

The higher the ratio of LDL to the total cholesterol, the greater will be the risk of arterial damage and heart disease. HDL, on the other hand, plays a salutory role by helping remove cholesterol from circulation and thereby reducing the risk of heart disease.

Get and Stay Heart Healthy.

Keep your Cholesterol Levels within safe limits to avoid what causes heart attacks .

Learn how to keep your Heart Healthy



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Heart attacks are the leading killers of both men and women in the United States. Today, fortunately, there are a number of treatments for heart attacks that can both save lives and prevent disabilities. Treatment is most effective when it is started within one hour of the beginning of symptoms. The minute symptoms of a heart attack occur or a person suspects a heart attack, it is important to dial 911 immediately.

Heart attacks seem to be sudden, but that’s not the truth. Signs and symptoms of a heart attack need to be recognized. These help in quick medical attention, as well as saving lives.

Heart attacks are emergency situations that require the immediate attention of medical services. As a first step in treatment, you need to stop the palpitation of the heart and transport the patient by ambulance to the nearest hospital. This vastly increases the chances of survival.

Major heart attack risk factors include a history of angina or vascular disease, a previous stroke or heart attack, old age, excessive alcohol, the abuse of illegal drugs, smoking, episodes of abnormal heart beat, obesity, high levels of stress, high or low cholesterol, high triglyceride levels, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Heart attacks and medicines almost always appear in the same sentence. There are medicines to avoid and prevent heart attacks. This is brought to us by the technological advancement that man has achieved over the years. Although, some medicines before where proven to have negative effects when taken by a person with a heart condition, doctors try to warn their patients about them. Some medicines even cause heart complications.

Since heart attacks are the leading causes of death worldwide, knowing the signs could mean the difference between life and death. Contrary to some belief, heart attacks do not always have to be a “chest-grabbing” incident. Many people experiencing a heart attack actually thought it was just heart burn or chest muscle pains. And it doesn’t even have to be a one-time discomfort. You can experience recurring symptoms, which may feel mild one day and the next day severe, before an actual heart attack happens. So before you put yourself or your loved ones in serious dangers, here are some heart attack signs to look for.

People with a history of stroke, atherosclerotic heart disease or angina and abnormal heart rhythm have a higher risk of experiencing a heart attack. The disease mostly affects men over 40 years old and women over 50 years old. There are also medical and scientific studies stating that women who use contraceptive pills have a higher risk of a heart attack than those who does not use them. A person’s lifestyle can also increase chances of a heart attack. Smoking, drinking, drug abuse, presence of high triglyceride levels in the food you eat, high LDL levels and low HDL levels are some of the risk factors you should learn to avoid.



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Most people will experience Heartburn or Acid Reflux at some point in their lives. I count myself in that category.

IT CAN BE VERY PAINPUL!

So PAINFUL that these symptoms are often mistaken for a HEART ATTACK!

If that sounds like you, then it is essential to understand the SPECIFIC DIFFERENCES!

# 1 HEARTBURN & ACID REFUX – Typical Causes and Symptoms



This condition typically starts with pain occurring right behind the breastbone resulting from stomach acid which refluxes up into the oesophagus.

This pain can be felt as a burning sensation, either as a spasm or a sharp pain. Stomach contents may rise as far as the throat (often described as repeating) and be experienced as regurgitation. It can include a bitter or sour taste at the back of your throat, belching, bloating and early satiety (feeling full too soon).

When severe, it may resemble vomiting or the sensation of having a Heart Attack.



#2 HEART ATTACK – Typical Causes and Symptoms



Risk Group: If you are in a specific risk group you are more likely to have a Heart Attack. That group includes: Men, starting from middle age and up; having high blood pressure or high cholesterol in your blood; being overweight, or if you don’t exercise regularly; or if you are a smoker.

Specific Symptoms to Watch For: Chest pain is a major symptom of heart attack; however, some people may have little or no chest pain, especially the elderly and those with diabetes.

Additional symptoms may include – excessive sweating, shortness of breath, nausea, palpitations, faintness, fainting, and severe weakness.

The pain can spread to the shoulders, neck or arms and may be mild to intense. Pain from a heart attack generally lasts for more than 30 minutes, and may continue for several hours. The longer the pain lasts, the greater the risk of muscle damages.

Almost always, heart attacks are life threatening and require immediate attention. Rapid treatment reduces the risk of sudden death and prevents long-term complications.



The Differences: Heart attack pain can sometimes feel like indigestion or heartburn; however, they must be recognised and treated as quickly as possible because once a coronary artery is blocked, the heart muscle will die within four to six hours. Knowing the signs and symptoms are crucial to the most positive outcomes after having a heart attack. Those who survive can work to reduce their risk of another heart attack in the future by closely following the advice of your Medical Professional.



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Heart attack occurs when the coronary arteries that supplies blood and oxygen to the heart gets blocked. This blockage is caused due to accumulation of cholesterol at a particular point in the arteries These help in quick medical attention, as well as saving lives. Heart attack or acute myocardial infarction occurs when one of the heart’s arteries is blocked so the blood supply in nutrients and oxygen is cut off, in the respect coronary the blood flow may be stopped and blood clot are formed, the territory irrigated by the respective artery suffers of miocardial infarction. Because people do not take into consideration their symptoms the heart injury may be irreversible, this could be avoided if medical care is received immediately.

Causes of heart attack

.Heart attacks seem to be sudden, but that’s not the truth. Signs and symptoms of a heart attack need to be recognized. This blockage is caused due to accumulation of cholesterol at a particular point in the arteries. This narrows the artery and lowers the supply of blood to the heart. This condition usually causes the patient to get severe pain in the chest especially when the patient is walking or performing a task that needs heart to pump more blood.

Chest Pain – This is the most common symptom reported by heart attack victims. If you suddenly begin to have pain in the chest, you should call a doctor or go to the emergency room immediately. The pain from a heart attack can be severe, but it doesn’t have to be. Sometimes mild pain is a sign of a heart attack.

Common heart attack symptoms include intense chest pains, which can often be felt also in the left arm or jaw, profuse sweating, and a sense of impending doom or morbid fear. Yet many heart attack victims do not have any of these symptoms at all. Or they might experience them in mild form, or have localized pain in their shoulders, arms, back, or abdomen. Sometimes the only symptom is a feeling of heartburn or nausea. When experiencing these mild symptoms, often times people will not regard it as a problem and refuse to seek medical help.

Symptoms of heart attacks

Symptoms of heart attacks include anxiety, a feeling of impending doom, chest pain, sweating, shortness of breath, palpitations, nausea, and vomiting. Oftentimes, heart attack patients will feel sick very suddenly. The symptoms for heart attacks in men are often different from the symptoms in women. Women most often experience fatigue, shortness of breath, and a feeling of weakness. About one third of all heart attacks are silent and do not consist of any chest pain or associated symptoms.

Exercise is important to maintain a healthy body more so after suffering from a heart attack. The exercise we are talking about need not be over exerting or strenuous. Slow brisk walking, swimming, slow dancing and golfing will be sufficient. It is recommended to exercise at least 3 to 4 times a week.



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“Prevention is better than cure.” – This is really true and must not be ignored by any of us. Healthy mind, body and soul definitely increases you life span. Who would like to die at young age? Who doesn’t want to linger and enjoy life? Who would want to leave their loved ones behind? Of course – “No one!”

It‘s never too late to act for your own body, for your own health. There are numerous causes of death not only in the United States but all over the world. Heart attack is one of the major causes of death that we can all fight and avoid.

How would you know if you are having a heart attack?

Here are the symptoms you should look after:

•Pressure or crushing pain in your chest sometimes with nausea, sweating or vomiting.

•The feeling of tightness in your chest.

•Shortness of breath usually more than a couple of seconds.

•Pain chest extends up to your jaw, left arm or shoulder.

Do not ignore it when you have encountered any of these symptoms. Better get help immediately and consult your doctor. The sooner you get treatment the greater the chance for you to prevent the heart attack.

Here are some basic things you need to know to prevent it:

•Do not smoke. If you are smoking, start quitting now!

•Eat healthy diet

•Exercise regularly

•Lose weight if you are overweight

•If you are diabetic, control your blood sugar

Your everyday diet also plays a big role in preventing this disease. Watch out for the foods you take, you never know if it’s good for you. It is very important to eat foods based on your metabolic type. How would you know your metabolic type? Check out http://mercola.com/2003/feb/26/metabolic_typing.htm

Act now before it’s too late. Don’t let heart attack take you away from your loved-ones or vice versa.

Nowadays there are many things to do and are available for heart attack prevention. To know more about this, visit http://mercola.com/article/heart_disease/index.htm for more additional information.

Be aware and live your life to the fullest!



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Heart attacks are a major cause of death and disability. Most people assume that the onset of a heart attack is accompanied by a series of symptoms such as chest pain and pain in the right arm or passing out. For the victim of the silent heart attack this is not always the case. The silent heart attack can come on with very minor symptoms and be just as deadly as any other heart attack. A heat attack occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle itself is blocked and causes part of the heart to die. This in turn causes the heart to malfunction.

Recovering from a heart attack is contingent on the swiftness of the reaction to its symptoms. Delay can be deadly in the event of a heart attack. By virtue of the fact that a silent heart attack comes on without the extreme symptoms a person generally expects in the event of a heart attack, immediate treatment is quite often delayed until it is too late. Symptoms of the silent heart attack can be as follows. Pain in your arms,chest and jaw that seem to get better if you rest. Being short of breath and getting tired easily. Chest pain is a major red flag for an oncoming heart attack it is not always present during a silent heart attack.

Fast treatment is the key to surviving a heart attack. Due to the fact that the symptoms of the silent heart attack can feel relief with a little rest, they sometimes can delay treatment which in turn can be devastating. Jaw pain in a heart attack can sometimes mistaken for a tooth ache and the arm pain can be misconstrued for a pulled muscle. The chest pain can be attributed to an ulcer, heart burn or severe gas pain. This has caused people to sit at home and misdiagnose themselves and die from an otherwise treatable heart attack. Determining if you are at risk for a silent heart attack is a preemptive step you can take.

Those mostly at risk for a silent heart attack are people who have had a previous heart attack. Also at risk are diabetics and those over the age of sixty-five and people prone to strokes. Some medications can carry with them a risk of making a person more at risk for a silent heart attack. Always ask your doctor to explain in detail all side effects of any medication you are prescribed. Smoking and alcohol consumption can also increase the risk of heart attack as can being over weight. It is important to bear in mind that everyone can take steps to minimize their risk of having a silent heart attack. Exercising more and talking to your doctor can only help to reduce your chances.

If you have taken stock of your risk factors and have determined that you are at risk for a silent heart attack then a plan of action should be in place in the event you ever do find yourself having a silent heart attack. Never let doubt come into play in such a serious situation. This is a common problem. People have actually delayed seeking treatment for a heart attack because they were worried about the resulting medical bills. What good is money if your dead? People have gone to chiropractors and dentists to find relief from the symptoms of a silent heart attack. Make your plans before the symptoms occur when you can think clearly and with a cool head.



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We always eat fast food and lazy to do exercise. This is live style of modern people now days. People do this because of many activities, busies live and crowded problems that they must face. The researchers from American Heart Association and American Cancer Society give warning to people around the world in order to do few suggestions. They suggest few strategies can avoid from stroke, heart attack. We must change modern life style in order to be health. To do health diet and active life, prevent heart attack risk to 27 millions people and stroke risk to 10 millions people. Based on study of American National Health that has been done research for 1984 until 2004, giving suggestion like below

1. Stop smoking.

Based on research, people that become smoking addiction, tend to get stroke and heart attack easily. People tend to have high blood pressure and high cholesterol, avoid to smoke too much.

2. Body mass index.

Avoid your body over weight. Keep your body balance. Consult to your Doctor how to do health diet. Over weight have risk, diabetes, heart attack and high blood pressure.

3. Keep your cholesterol (LDL) stable.

High cholesterol make your blood stream does not run well. Doing sport and take activities are the best solution.

4. Keep your blood pressure stable.

Avoid eating fatty food and consume health food. Consult to the Doctor about health menu.

5. Keep your blood sugar content stable

People have diabetes risks, avoid to drink and eating high sugar content. .

6. People tend to have heart attack risk. They had better to drink aspirin every day.



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Coronary heart disease, in its various forms, is the number one killer in the United States. One way that it kills is heart attack. Most of us have seen a movie or television show in which someone has a dramatic heart attack. The actor clasps the chest, and falls to the floor in pain. The message is clear: he or she had a heart attack. Such a theatrical show of heart attack is not always present in real life, however. According to the American Heart Association, most heart attacks start slowly. If you know the signs, you can get help before they reach the dramatic point.

What Are 3 Signs of a Heart Attack That You Should Know?

Not everyone who has a heart attack will experience the same symptoms. It has been learned that men and women can have very different signs. There is enough similarity, however, that anyone, male or female, who has one of the basic three signs of a heart attack, should seek medical help immediately.

What are the three signs of a heart attack that should make you call for help?

1. Chest Discomfort: In most cases, a heart attack involves pain or some form of discomfort in the center of your chest. The feeling of distress usually lasts more than 2 or 3 minutes. It may stop temporarily, and then return as before. Heart attack discomfort can be experienced in various ways. It may be pressure that makes you uncomfortable. You may feel as though someone is squeezing your chest inside. Some patients say that it feels like the chest is too full, while others simply say it is pain.

2. Other Discomfort: In some heart attacks, the chest discomfort is accompanied by similar feelings in one or both arms. There may be pain in the back or stomach. Pain may also extend to the neck or jaw. The discomfort of heart attack is usually limited to the upper body.

3. Breathing Trouble: A heart attack victim is likely to have trouble breathing. This sign may be present whether or not there is chest discomfort.

Any of those three signs of heart attack should send you to a doctor. It may not be heart attack, but you should have it checked immediately.

Additional signs of heart attack might include lightheadedness, nausea, or a cold sweat.

First 5 Minutes of a Heart Attack

Time is of the essence in a heart attack! It is important to take action quickly if you are to save the person’s life. If that person is you, seek medical help immediately.

Some people decide unwisely to wait until they are sure they are having a heart attack. Often, they wait too long before getting help.

Call 911, or your country’s emergency number, within the first 5 minutes of heart attack symptoms! Do not wait longer than 5 minutes! If you cannot get emergency services within 5 minutes, have someone drive you to the hospital’s emergency room as quickly as possible.

It is important to get medical help quickly. Normally, 911 is the best way to get rapid life-saving care. Ambulance staff can take action the moment they arrive. They can take action to keep your heart beating – and can often revive you if your heart has stopped. Finally, those who arrive at the hospital by ambulance usually receive faster treatment for heart attack than those who arrive by car – as much as an hour faster!

No Embarrassment

What are 3 signs of a heart attack? Those given above.

What is 1 sign that you may be acting unwisely? Waiting.

Doctors stress that there is no embarrassment in seeking medical help for a heart attack and learning that it was not that at all. Doctors and nurses would much rather you acted quickly on a false alarm than that you waited when the heart attack was real.

Learn the three signs of a heart attack – especially if you have any heart disease or risks for such. If you experience any of them, seek help.

Disclaimer: The author is not a physician, and shares this research for educational purposes only. Please ask your physician for more information on heart attack.



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on where the oxygen and the blood supply is restricted to the heart, if left untreated results in heart attacks. It may also ultimately lead to death. You can also prevent the recovery of a heart attack by:

Taking your medications regularly.

These medicines are prescribed to prevent blood clots and lower the levels of cholesterol. Change your lifestyle to some extent like you need to quit smoking immediately as it has high risks of heart attacks. Eat a low fat and low cholesterol diet that will reduce the amount of fat in your blood. Control the levels of your blood pressure and diabetes by having a healthy diet, exercising regularly, medicines, and controlling the amount of salt and sugar in your diet. High blood pressure damages the lining of the arteries and leads to heart complications.

Control your stress and anger by learning many different skills like time management, yoga, or relaxation to lower your stress. Use these skills effectively at times to control you stress or anger that may otherwise lead to heart attack. You can also enroll yourself and participate in the cardiac rehabilitation programs, wherein you can learn the different techniques to avoid or control your stress and anger and what to do in case of emergencies. Avoid *** for the first 2 weeks as you are at a greater risk of heart related problems during ***. This risk becomes less after 6 weeks. There are exercises that help to prevent the heart attacks by reducing stress, high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and excess weight. It is recommended to exercise at least half an hour a day. This should include jogging, cycling, walking, swimming, etc. you can even go for exercise machines like simulated skiers, stair climbers or elliptical cross trainers. Even yoga exercises are found very helpful to prevent the evidence of heart attacks. Exercises make your heart stronger, but make sure that you do not over exercise. Weight lifting in particular can trigger a heart attack. It is always better to consult your doctor before you start you exercise program. Once you face a heart attack, you need to try hard to try to prevent it from occurring the next time. For this, you need to keep your heart healthy and minimize the risks to prevent future damages to the heart.

You need to take proper care so that it does occur again the next time. Use this article as a guideline to help you in the process. Number of people surviving a heart attack have recovered completely and are leading productive lives.



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