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In medical terms a heart attack is called a myocardial infarction. This is a type of disease
that happens when the body?s blood supply that travels to the heart is compromised. The
result is a lack of oxygen to the heart and there may be some damage to the tissue or the
tissue may be destroyed all together. Heart Attacks are the most common cause of death in
both men and women all over the globe. There are some high risk factors that can
contribute to the cause of a heart attack. These are Atherosclerotic Coronary Heart Disease
and Angina. If you have had a stroke or possibly a mild heart attack before.
Men over 40 and women over 50 are the most at risk. Some common characteristics they
may share are smoking, excessive alcohol drinking, drug abuse, high cholesterol, diabetes,
high blood pressure and obesity. Stress plays a major part in the heart attack world as well
as family history does. You may not think that you are at risk but there are triggers for
heart attacks that you should be aware of . Stress and physical exertion among anyone who
has the risk factors we just discussed are prime triggers.
Infections such as pneumonia can also trigger the infarction. Chlamydophilia Pneumoniae
can cause a heart attack as well. Here are some symptoms to watch for, Chest Pain or pain
that comes from the left arm, right arm, back and the epigastria which could also be heart
burn as well. Shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting and palpitations. Loss of consciousness
and death could be the result of the myocardial infarctions.
Women will display different symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, sleep disturbance and
dyspena. There are some heart attacks that happen without pain or any symptoms, these
are called silent heart attacks. But these types of heart attacks are more common in the
elderly as well as with people who live with diabetes mellitus.
If you feel like you are at risk, see your doctor they can give you a physical exam as well as
an electrocardiogram. Family history plays a huge part in backgrounds of heart attack
patients. It is important to know your family history. Survival of heart attacks are better than
ever before but it is very important to call an ambulance right away as you start to feel
symptoms, the earlier the response to the attack the better your chances are.
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