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Silent Killer
This site is dedicated to the Silent Heart Attack which is by far the most damaging myocardial infarction (AMI or MI).
Twice as many people die from a silent heart attack as compared to those that experienced a myocardial infarction with chess
pain.
The key to recovering from a heart attack is the speed as which the patient received treatment. In the case of a silent
heart attack, the patient is not aware of the infarction and because valuable time is wasted, the heart becomes permanently
damaged.
All about the silent killer
Heart Savers
As you grow older, your chances of developing heart disease increase. Coronary heart disease accounts
for the greatest percentage of cardio-vascular deaths in seniors, half of which are attributable to heart attacks.
A heart attack occurs when the blood supply to a part of the heart muscle itself is severely reduced
or stopped due to blockage, resulting in damage to that part of the heart.
What are the symptoms and warning signs?
The main symptoms and warning signs of heart attack are:
Chest pain
- tightness, discomfort or crushing
- heaviness, pressure or squeezing
- fullness or burning
Pain from the centre of the chest spreading
- down one or both arms
- up to neck, jaw, shoulder or back
Other signs
- shortness of breath
- paleness, sweating or weakness
- nausea, vomiting and/or indigestion
- anxiety or fear
- denial, refusing to admit that anything is wrong
Warning signs in women
Women are more likely to have less obvious symptoms such as indigestion-like
discomfort, vague chest pressure or discomfort, nausea or back pain. It is crucial for women and their doctors not to ignore
those easy-to-miss symptoms.
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If you notice any of these signs, don't delay!
Consult your
doctor immediately.
The longer an artery remains blocked the more damage it may cause. Delay in the early phases can
significantly reduce the chances of survival. Yet Canadians wait an average of almost 5 hours before getting help. It is extremely
important to recognize the signals and to respond immediately. | 
Who is at risk?
Some risk factors for heart disease cannot be altered, while others can be modified by lifestyle changes.
Major risk factors you can't change include age and family history. Risk factors you can change or control include
smoking, high blood pressure, high "bad" cholesterol (LDL) levels, lack of physical activity, diabetes and obesity.
Tobacco
A smoker's risk of heart attack is 2-3 times than that of a non-smoker. Quitting,
at any age, is beneficial. Chronic exposure to second-hand smoke may also increase the risk of heart disease.
High blood pressure
High blood pressure increases the heart's workload, causing the heart
to enlarge and weaken over time. When high blood pressure exists with obesity, smoking, physical inactivity, high blood cholesterol
levels or diabetes, the risk of heart attack increases greatly. Although the cause of most high blood pressure is unknown,
it can be controlled.
Because high blood pressure often has no obvious symptoms, it is crucial that you understand your
doctor's instructions and stick to your medication.
Heart DiseaseA Threat to Life
EACH year millions of men and women worldwide have heart attacks. Many survive with few aftereffects. Others
do not survive. For still others the heart is so damaged that "a return to useful activities is questionable," cardiologist
Peter Cohn says, adding: "It is imperative, therefore, to nip heart attacks in the bud whenever possible."
The heart is a muscle that pumps blood throughout the body. In a heart attack (myocardial infarction), part of
the heart muscle dies when deprived of blood. To stay healthy, the heart needs oxygen and other nutrients that are carried
by the blood. It gets these by way of the coronary arteries, which wrap around the outside of the heart.
Diseases can affect any part of the heart. However, the most common is the insidious disease of the coronary
arteries called atherosclerosis. When this occurs, plaque, or fatty deposits, develops in the artery walls. Over a period
of time, plaque can build up, harden and narrow the arteries, and restrict blood flow to the heart. It is this underlying
coronary artery disease (CAD) that sets the stage for most heart attacks.
Clogging in one or more arteries precipitates an attack when the hearts demand for oxygen exceeds the supply.
Even in arteries less severely narrowed, a deposit of plaque can crack and lead to the formation of a blood clot (thrombus).
Diseased arteries are also more susceptible to spasm. A blood clot can form at the site of a spasm, releasing a chemical that
further constricts the artery wall, triggering an attack.
When heart muscle is deprived of oxygen long enough, nearby tissue may be damaged. Unlike some tissue, heart
muscle does not regenerate. The longer the attack, the more damage to the heart and the greater the likelihood of death. If
the hearts electrical system is damaged, the hearts normal rhythm can become chaotic and the heart can begin to quiver wildly
(fibrillate). In such an arrhythmia, the hearts ability to pump blood effectively to the brain fails. Within ten minutes the
brain dies and death occurs.
Thus, early intervention by trained medical personnel is vital. It can rescue the heart from ongoing damage,
prevent or treat the arrhythmia, and even save a persons life.
My WH would rather we did Natural but it won't hurt to look
Maybe they are right but my own story shows that the heart can be repaired by itself. I pray your DH is going to be like
I was and come out of this with a better understanding with Our Father and Jesus Christ. I know that I did. In Jesus name
we pray that His healing hands will touch him today.
Doctors are humans though so do get that second opinion. Gentle hugs for you and for him.
| do all you can to prevent them |
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Heart attack warning signs
| learn all you can before it happens |
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All about the heart
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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