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Approximately 7 million people around the [br]world die from heart attacks every year,

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and cardiovascular disease,

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which causes heart attacks and other[br]problems like strokes,

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is the world's leading killer.

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So what causes a heart attack?

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Like all muscles, the heart needs oxygen,

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and during a heart attack,[br]it can't get enough.

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Fatty deposits, or plaques,

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develop on the walls [br]of our coronary arteries.

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Those are the vessels that supply[br]oxygenated blood to the heart.

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These plaques grow as we age,

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sometimes getting chunky,

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hardened,

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or enflamed.

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Eventually, the plaques can turn[br]into blockages.

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If one of the plaques ruptures or cracks,

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a blood clot will form around it[br]in minutes,

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and a partially closed artery[br]can become completely blocked.

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Blood flow is cut off [br]to the cardiac muscle

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and the oxygen-starved cells start to die[br]within several minutes.

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This is a myocardial infarction,

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or heart attack.

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Things can rapidly deteriorate[br]in the absence of treatment.

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The injured muscle may not be able[br]to pump blood as well,

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and its rhythm might be thrown off.

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In the worst case scenario,[br]a heart attack can cause sudden death.

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And how do you know that someone[br]is having a heart attack?

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The most common symptom is chest pain

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caused by the oxygen-deprived [br]heart muscle.

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Patients describe it as crushing[br]or vice-like.

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It can radiate to the left arm,

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jaw,

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back,

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or abdomen.

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But it's not always as sudden and dramatic[br]as it is in the movies.

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Some people experience nausea

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or shortness of breath.

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Symptoms may be less prominent[br]in women and the elderly.

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For them, weakness and tiredness[br]may be the main signal.

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And surprisingly, in many people,

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especially those with diabetes,[br]which affects the nerves that carry pain,

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a heart attack may be silent.

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If you think that someone might be [br]having a heart attack,

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the most important thing [br]is to respond quickly.

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If you have access to emergency medical[br]services, call them.

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They're the fastest way [br]to get to a hospital.

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Taking aspirin, which thins the blood,

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and nitroglycerin, [br]which opens up the artery,

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can help keep the heart attack[br]from getting worse.

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In the emergency room, [br]doctors can diagnose a heart attack.

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They commonly use an electrocardiogram

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to measure the heart's [br]electrical activity

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and a blood test to assess [br]heart muscle damage.

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The patient is then taken to a high-tech[br]cardiac suite

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where tests are done [br]to locate the blockages.

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Cardiologists can reopen [br]the blocked artery

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by inflating it with a balloon[br]in a procedure called an angioplasty.

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Frequently, they also insert a metal[br]or polymer stent

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that will hold the artery open.

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More extensive blockages might require[br]coronary artery bypass surgery.

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Using a piece of vein or artery[br]from another part of the body,

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heart surgeons can reroute blood flow[br]around the blockage.

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These procedures reestablish circulation[br]to the cardiac muscle,

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restoring heart function.

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Heart attack treatment is advancing,

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but prevention is vital.

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Genetics and lifestyle factors[br]both affect your risk.

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And the good news is that you can[br]change your lifestyle.

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Exercise, a healthy diet,[br]and weight loss

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all lower the risk of heart attacks,

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whether you've had one before or not.

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Doctors recommend exercising[br]a few times a week,

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doing both aerobic activity[br]and strength training.

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A heart-healthy diet is low[br]in sugar and saturated fats,

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which are both linked to heart disease.

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So what should you eat?

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Lots of fiber from vegetables,

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chicken and fish instead of red meat,

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whole grains and nuts like walnuts[br]and almonds

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all seem to be beneficial.

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A good diet and exercise plan can also[br]keep your weight in a healthy range,

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which will lower [br]your heart attack risk as well.

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And of course, medications can also[br]help prevent heart attacks.

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Doctors often prescribe low-dose[br]aspirin, for example,

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particularly for patients who've[br]already had a heart attack

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and for those known to be[br]at high risk.

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And drugs that help manage risk factors,

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like high blood pressure, cholesterol,[br]and diabetes,

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will make heart attacks less likely, too.

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Heart attacks may be common, [br]but they don't have to be inevitable.

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A healthy diet,

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avoiding tobacco use,

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staying fit,

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and enjoying plenty of sleep[br]and lots of laughter

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all go a long way in making sure[br]your body's most important muscle

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keeps on beating.