Heart Attack

Heart attacks, also called myocardial infarctions, are one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Heart attacks are caused when an area of the heart muscle is completely deprived of blood supply. Plaque inside the hearts arteries builds up after time. Theses plaque builds up can break off from the arterial wall and form a clot which blocks the blood flow to the heart. If no blood supply can get to the heart then the muscle is at severe risk of dying which can cause severe permanent damage or more then likely, death. Plaque is made up of cholesterol, white blood cells, calcium and other components. Symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain or discomfort, sweating, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, irregular heart beat and loss of consciousness. It is extremely importnat to be able to recognize these symptoms and get help immediatly if they occur. Men are more likely to have a heart attack then women however, women are more likely to die from a heart attack. Medication can be prescribed to help prevent heart attacks in patients who have high cholesterol levels or other heart conditions. Blood thinners are often taken by patients who have high cholesterol levels to help decrease their chances of a blockage.