Heart Attack Prevention & Signs

According to the Mayo Clinic, a person typically experiences a heart attack when the blood flow to the coronary artery, a section of the heart muscle, becomes blocked by a blood clot. Damage to the heart muscle occurs if the flow of blood to the heart is interrupted for an extended amount of time, often resulting in death. Lifestyle changes may lower your risk for a heart attack. Learning the symptoms and warning signs of a heart attack can give you a better chance of survival.

Signs and Symptoms

• It's not always easy to tell if you're having a heart attack. Many people believe that all heart attacks strike suddenly, causing intense pain. But according to the American Heart Association, most heart attacks start slowly, causing only mild pain and discomfort. This is why many people die from heart attacks. They're unable to identify the warning signs. The most important sign to be aware of is chest pain and discomfort. Intermediate mild to severe pain or pressure in the center of your chest is often a warning. You may also feel pain or discomfort in your arms, back, neck, shoulders or jaw, according to the Mayo Clinic.

  Other signs and symptoms you should watch out for include shortness of breath or trouble breathing, intense heartburn or pain in your upper abdomen, profuse sweating, a feeling of nausea or dizziness, fatigue, vomiting and fainting. According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, it is not uncommon to confuse signs of a heart attack with indigestion, heartburn or angina. Keep in mind that not everyone experiences the same signs of a heart attack. Some people may experience signs of a heart attack for as long as a few weeks before the heart attack strikes, reports the Mayo Clinic.

Prevention

• People most at risk of having a heart attack are people who smoke, have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, are overweight or obese, have diabetes, are physically inactive or have a family history of coronary artery disease. If you fit into any of these categories there are steps that you can take to prevent heart attacks. Maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet that's low in fat and calories. Eat a generous number of fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. Reduce your salt intake or eliminate salt completely. Get active. Start exercising regularly. Doing these things will help lower your high cholesterol and blood pressure as well as help you to lose weight, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. If you're a smoker, make an effort to quit smoking as soon as possible. Avoid excessive drinking. Managing your stress levels can also help reduce your risk of a heart attack.

  It is extremely important to treat the conditions that put you at risk for a heart attack. Take the medications that your doctor prescribes to help lower your cholesterol and blood pressure and to manage your diabetes. Beta blockers, niacin, statins and fibrates are some of the medications that your doctor may recommend. Aspirin, a blood thinner, may also be purchased over-the-counter and used to keep your blood from clotting. Doctors often recommend a daily aspirin to people at risk for a heart attack. Talk to your doctor before taking blood-thinning medications or beginning an aspirin regimen.

  The Mayo Clinic advises you to get regular medical checkups to be sure that you're in good health. Your doctor can test for conditions that may put you at risk for heart attacks. Also, if your doctor detects a problem with your heart he can prescribe medication that can prevent coronary artery disease.