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. | Heart Disease
Nearly 40% of all Canadian deaths result from heart disease and stroke. Educating the general public has significantly reduced this rate. Receiving medical treatment within the first few hours of heart attack is one of the most important things you can do to reduce heart damage and save lives.
What is a heart attack? The heart muscle needs oxygen to function. A heart attack is caused by a narrowing of or clot formation within the blood vessels (coronary arteries) that supply oxygen to the heart. When a part of the heart muscle is deprived of oxygen it can be irreversibly damaged or die within a few hours. Because there are drugs that can dissolve clots in the blood vessels, it is vital that you receive medical treatment within 4-6 hours.
Men and women may describe their symptoms somewhat differently, but essentially they consist of:
- a vague discomfort in your chest that doesn't go away with rest, or sudden severe, crushing chest discomfort that may move to other parts of your body
- heaviness, pressure, squeezing, fullness, burning, tightness or other discomfort in chest, shoulder, arm, neck or jaw that doesn't go away
- unusual pain that spreads down one or both arms
- shortness of breath; paleness, sweating or weakness
- nausea, vomiting and/or indigestion
- feelings of extreme anxiety, denial or fear
Chest pain is a serious sign that something is wrong. Don't ignore it!
Are you at risk? Risk factors for heart disease include:
- Family history - you're at greater risk if a parent had a heart attack before age 65
- Diabetes - for women, the risk is three times as great if you have diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Cigarette smoking - smoking increases your risk of heart disease 20 times
- High blood pressure - for both sexes, high blood pressure is a major risk factor for early heart disease
- Obesity - excess weight (20% or more above your ideal weight) is a risk factor
Reduce your risk of heart disease by knowing the warning signs and your risk factors. If you smoke, quit. After five years, your risk is reduced by 50-70 percent! Exercise regularly (at least three times a week) and maintain a desirable weight. Eat a low-fat diet and follow Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating.
For more information, contact your local Heart and Stroke Foundation.
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