Every 34 seconds.
That’s how many heart attacks occur in the U.S. each day.
34 percent.
That’s the number of people who experience a heart attack and die from it. It’s a staggering number that results in more than a million deaths each year.
What Causes a Heart Attack?
Most heart attacks, or myocardial infarction, stem from coronary heart disease, a condition that clogs the coronary arteries with fatty plaques. Researchers have found that while these plaques are damaging, it’s typically the sudden formation on top of the plaque that causes the obstruction of blood flow in the already too-narrow artery.
Who’s At Risk?
Risk factors that could potentially lead to a heart attack are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, and prolonged high-stress. Men who are over the age of 50, family history, and menopause for women can also increase the likelihood of a heart attack.
A cardiologist relies on various tests and scans to identify and diagnose a heart attack. Angiograms and radioisotopes scan specific areas of the heart for damage and blockage. This data provides crucial information that your doctor can utilize for prevention and proper treatment.
Heart Attack Prevention
Assessing your risk for a heart attack is the first step in prevention, and doctors advise starting as young as 20. It always comes back to living a healthy lifestyle and omitting the behaviors that can potentially trigger a latent family trait.
Here a few things you can do NOW, according to Healthline:
- Find out your family’s medical history
- Quit smoking
- Exercise Regularly (10,000 steps-a-day)\
- Eat more whole foods, like fresh fruits and vegetables
- Reduce your salt intake
- Manage your diabetes
- Manage your blood pressure
- Control blood cholesterol
- Maintain a healthy body weight
- Reduce stress
Recovery After a Heart Attack
As everyone knows, you can do everything right and sometimes things still happen–Murphy’s Law, as they call it. Although suffering from a heart attack is a frightening experience, surviving and being able to come home is life-changing.
Returning home after a heart attack can mean months of recuperation. You may feel tired or weak due to your damaged heart muscle and time in the hospital. In the first few weeks, you should take things slow and pace yourself. You’re not going to be able to do the same things with same vigor at first, but with time you will. You may experience such feelings like depression, anger or fear. Most of these feelings will go away with time and as you get back to your normal routine. Your physician will recommend a heart-healthy diet and exercise plan for you to follow–this is the time to follow it and stop making excuses.
If you or a loved has gone through the life-altering experience of a heart attack, we at A-1 Home Care can provide personal, in-home care after your surgery. Our caregivers can provide hospice care, short-term or long-term , live-in care while you recover.
Please visit us at Altadena A-1 Home Care to experience our one-of-a-kind compassionate care service. We are also located in the neighboring cities of Pasadena, Alhambra, Arcadia, La Crescenta-Montrose, Sierra Madre, Rosemead, and San Marino.
Contact us at (626) 287-0250 for more questions. Check-out our Facebook and Twitter websites for daily updates!
In Home Care in Altadena CA // 626-287-0250 // 562-929-8400 