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 lifestyles 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, US 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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