Heart Attack Risk Factors and Warning Signs to Help Save Your Life

HEART ATTACKS. A particularly frightening phrase and an even more terrifying situation to experience. Equally as frightening is the fact that most women believe that heart attacks mostly affect men, when in actuality women account for nearly half of all heart attack deaths. Because of this misguided belief, many women are not familiar with the warning signs that are often experienced moments, hours, days and even weeks before a heart attack occurs, which causes many women to put off seeking medical attention.

When the thought of having a heart attack comes to mind, many think about the classic Hollywood Cinema Heart Attack . On screen, when someone suffers a heart attack, the victim will be in a situation that causes high blood pressure to rise even higher, actors tempers will be lost as well as fear, stress or anger will be the cause sudden chest pain and then a fatal heart attack. Although the visualization of a victim clenching their chest as they gasp for air and hit the ground makes for a captivating Hollywood moment, this is typically not what occurs when real life heart attacks occur.

Real life isn’t usually as dramatic as Hollywood. Most heart attacks come on and progress slowly and are not as sudden as we see them to be in the movies.

As with men, the most common symptom of a heart attack in women is feeling pressure, pain or tightening in your chest as well as shortness of breath. Woman experience a few symptoms of heart attack that are not as common in men. Symptoms that many women experience but all too often ignore as nothing to note or worry about include generalized fatigue and sleep disturbances days and even weeks before the attack occurs. Women and men alike may experience Jaw tightness and discomfort and Back pain. Women are more likely than men to experience dizzy spells, intense headaches, nausea which may or may not be accompanied by vomiting, indigestion and malaise, which is a general or vague feeling of being ill or not quite yourself.

So when is a good time to call your doctor if you believe that you may be suffering a heart attack? NOW… Receiving prompt medical attention is what saves lives and gives heart attack victims futures.

If you are at risk for having a heart attack or for heart disease, you should take the time and make the effort to know what the warning signs are for a heart attack. There are some controllable as well as uncontrollable factors which put a person at risk to suffer Heart Disease and/or a Heart Attack. Some of these risk factors are;

-Smoking- smoking puts a person at risk for Heart Disease and Heart Attack, as well as many other diseases and health problems.

-Genetics- unfortunately we can not choose what we inherit and for man Heart Disease is something that runs in the family.

-Cholesterol- Cholesterol plays a big part in your health; your doctor can prescribe medication and give life style changing advice to help you lower your cholesterol.

-Hypertension- which in short is High Blood Pressure. Your doctor can prescribe medication and advise a better diet to reduce High Blood Pressure and Heart Disease.

-Uncontrolled Temper and Anger- Relax don’t give yourself a coronary…literally; find ways to reduce stress to keep your temper at bay.

-Post Menopausal women have a higher risk to experience Heart Disease and Heart Attacks

-Men- Men in general are at greater risk for heart disease and Heart Attacks than women.

-Diabetes and Obesity are both common risk factors for Heart Disease and Heart Attack.

-Age-as we get older our chances of suffering a heart attack or being diagnosed with Heart Disease increase, which is why it is important we take notice that our youth is temporary and taking care of our bodies before problems begin occurring can lessen our risk factors for not only heart disease but many other health issues.

A Heart Attack is a serious occurrence, and immediate medical care can literally mean the difference between life and death. Although there are risk factors and precautions a person can take to lessen the probability of a Heart Attack, the truth is still; a heart attack can happen to anyone, regardless of age, race, gender or genetics.

A heart attack can happen in the heat of a summer day as well as the dead of a winter’s night. You can suffer a Heart Attack during exercise, while relaxing, while driving or while sleeping. Knowing that no one is immune and realizing that knowing and recognizing the warning signs of a heart attack can save your life or the life of someone whom you love.