New Therapy for Heart Attacks
New drugs can stop or limit the damage of a heart attack,
but only if the patient gets help immediately, experts say.
Once the flow of blood to a portion of the heart is blocked
for several hours, the damage is irreversible.
Knowing the symptoms of a heart attack, which can be wide-ranging
and confusing, is extremely important. So is knowing risk
factors, such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and
family history.
Typical symptoms of a heart attack include a crushing pain
in the chest, sweating, difficulty breathing, weakness and
pain in the arms, particularly the left. Symptoms one could
attribute to something else can cause devastating delays in
seeking treatment. These include feelings of indigestion,
back shoulder and neck pain and nausea. Early signs of trouble
may appear during physical activity and disappear with rest.
Any numbness of tingling of the fingers or toes, dizziness,
shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing should not
be ignored.
Clinical studies, laboratory investigations and a number
of surveys show certain personal characteristics and life-styles
pointing to increased danger of heart attack. These danger
signs are called "risk factors." These well established
risk factors are high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol,
cigarette smoking and diabetes mellitus.Attempts at modifying
risk factors most certainly have contributed to the declining
death rate from heart attacks in the United States.
During the 1960's, U.S. death rates from heart attacks were
still rising, but today's figures show that heart attacks
have fallen dramatically. And, overall, heart-related problems
have declined about 25 percent in the last decade. This decrease
undoubtedly is due to better medical care of heart attack
victims, but it is likely that a sizable percentage is related
to modification of risk factors.
Medical technology is advancing at an increasingly rapid
rate. More drugs and medical technology are available than
ever before and the entire population is now more aware of
the seriousness of heart attacks. There has been an increased
interest in learning CPR and many community organizations
now offer this valuable training. Of particular concern by
doctors and researchers is the role that the American diet
plays in the health of one's heart. Obesity predisposes individuals
to coronary heart disease. Some of the reasons for this are
known, but others are not. The major causes of obesity in
Americans are excessive intake of calories and inadequate
exercise. When caloric intake is excessive, some of the excess
frequently is saturated fat, which further raises the blood
cholesterol. Thus, obesity contributes to higher coronary
risk in a variety of ways.
Many of the major risk factors for a heart attack are silent
and much of the responsibility for their detection lies with
each of us as individuals. Regular checkups are particularly
necessary if there is a family history of heart attacks of
heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels
or diabetes.
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