Heart attacks are one of the primary causes of death in the United States. Each year, more than 600,000 people suffer from a heart attack and approximately 200,000 die as a result. Women are less likely than men to experience a heart attack as they age, but if they do, it is usually fatal. People with high blood pressure and cholesterol levels should take extra precautions to avoid heart disease. Exercise, eating healthy foods and avoiding smoking will lower your risk for a heart attack.



Heart Attacks: Know the warning signs

The United States experiences approximately 650,000 heart attacks annually, with more than 425,000 of those cases resulting in death. It’s important to educate yourself on the warning signs of a heart attack so that when they occur you are prepared to act quickly and save your life. There is some signs:

•          Chest pain

•          Extreme shortness of breath

•          Pain in the left arm, back, jaw, or stomach

•          Nausea or vomiting

•          Indigestion symptoms that don't subside

•          Surviving Is The Goal, Not Heating To Death

•          Sweating

•          Discomfort in the upper abdomen

•          Feeling of impending doom

Surviving Your First Heart Attack

For many people, their first heart attack is both shocking and frightening. The experience can lead to a range of emotions such as anxiety, hopelessness, and fear. A first heart attack can also bring up feelings of guilt for not having taken better care of themselves. After any type of heart attack, it's important to know how to navigate the recovery process in order to avoid any setbacks or complications.

Don't Wait to Get That Chest Pain Checked Out

Millions of people across the country experience chest pains every year, but many choose to ignore them and hope that it goes away. This can be a deadly mistake. Chest pain can be indicative of serious illnesses such as heart attack, diabetes, pulmonary embolism, or even cancer. One should never ignore chest pain because it could potentially save their life.

Prevention Methods

Although heart attacks are difficult to prevent, they can be decreased in severity and even avoided if one takes precautionary measures.  First and foremost, people should moderate their lifestyle; this includes cutting down on fat and cholesterol intake, engaging in regular exercise, and quitting smoking. Secondly, they should make sure to get plenty of sleep and maintain a healthy weight. Lastly, it is crucial for doctors to inform their patients about heart attack prevention during routine check-ups.

10 Things to Avoid When Recovering from a Heart Attack

For many people, heart disease is a frightening and daunting prospect. Though the death rate from heart disease has fallen significantly in recent decades, it is still the leading cause of death in the US for both men and women. The fear of suffering a heart attack can be debilitating and paralyzing. However, there are things you can do to help reduce your risk of having an attack, and recovering following one should not be as difficult as you might think.

1.        Eating too many fatty foods

2.        Skipping your medications

3.        Taking up smoking

4.        Drinking alcohol or caffeinated beverages

5.        Exercising too much

6.        Ignoring warning signs

7.        Avoid smoking cigarettes and using other tobacco products

8.        Avoid stress and anxiety, especially during the recovery phase of heart attack recovery

9.        Avoid overdoing strenuous physical activities in the early days of recovery

10.      Avoid sex to prevent the risk of infection

 

How should you handle losing a loved one?

The loss of a loved one by a heart attack can feel devastating. The sudden death of a loved one is an event no person can prepare themselves for or cope with easily. Recently, more than 100 people have died from heart disease due to the weather conditions in their region. Heart attacks are especially prevalent among older populations who have not taken care of their health. Those who experience this tragedy need to know how to handle the loss of a loved one by a heart attack.

 

ABCs of Treatment

The American Heart Association provides a list of guidelines for the treatment of heart attacks. The first step is to call 911 or, if possible, an ambulance. Once the person is stable enough to be transported, they are taken to the hospital where they are stabilized before being discharged.

Eating Right, Fighting Fat

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that more than 1 in 3 people around the world currently lives with some form of cardiovascular disease like heart attack, stroke or chronic high blood pressure. This also means that more than 1 in 4 cardiovascular deaths are due to dietary factors. Fortunately, many of these problems can be prevented by modifications to diet and lifestyle. As such, WHO reports that on average, just a modest reduction in dietary fats could prevent roughly 7 million premature deaths annually.

Smoking and Stress: Lifetime Destroying Combination for the Heart

Many people believe that smoking is a stress reliever. However, this is simply not true. As with many things that we do to cope with stress, smoking can lead to addiction and increase the chances of developing a number of medical conditions. One such condition is heart disease, which has been on the rise in recent years due to factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes. In fact, smoking maybe even more damaging to the heart than obesity.

 

Watch Your Cholesterol, Eat These Foods

You may have heard that cholesterol is not good for your health, but you might not know why. When people have too much cholesterol in their blood, it can lead to life-threatening conditions such as heart disease or stroke. There are many factors that contribute to high levels of cholesterol including genetics, age, weight, diet and lifestyle choices. A few easy changes can help change your cholesterol numbers for the better.

The American Heart Association (AHA) has created a list of foods that are good for those with high cholesterol levels.

 

·        Eating more natural foods

·        Eating more fruits and vegetables

·        Watching your meal portion sizes

·        Adding more fiber to your diet

·        Avoiding too many high-fat foods

·        Getting enough exercise

·        Fish

·        Beans

·        Legumes

 

How do you combat the negative side effects of high cholesterol?

As a registered dietitian I can tell you that there is no one single food to eat, but it's important to have a diet rich in fiber, whole grains, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, as well as plenty of omega-3 fatty acids.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, heart attacks are a serious medical issue. It is important to know the symptoms and causes of a heart attack in order to stay safe and treat an attack quickly.

Now that you have read this article on heart attacks, you will know the signs of a heart attack and be able to treat one properly if necessary. Stay safe!