Heart Attack

You may have heard this before, but it’s not just hype.?HeartDisease is the #1 killer in the United States.?To understand the impact of a heart attack on the body is to first understand all that the heart does to keep our bodies functioning. ?

However,even if you aren’t interested in the background information,please read Know the Signals; someone’s life may depend on it.

The Healthy Heart . . .Simplified, the heart is actually a muscle about the size of a man’s fist.?It lies in the center of the chest,sandwiched between the lungs, behind the lower half of the sternum.The heart, blood vessels, and blood make up the circulatory system, while the respiratory system is comprised ofthe airway and lungs.?These two teams make it possible for the body to function, by constantly supplying it with fresh oxygen.?

Like any teams, they still have to answer to the management, in this case, the nervous system (Brain, spinal cord, and nerves). The heart is the ultimate recycling center.?When the vessels bring in “used” blood the heart sends it into the lungs to be infused with oxygen. The oxygen-rich blood heads back into the heart, where it will be sent back out to the body.

So how does the heart move all that blood??The heart is a muscle, and like any other muscle, it contracts and relaxes. If you feel your pulse, you are actually feeling the beats or contractions.?

One other component of the heart worth mentioning is the network of specialized tissue that runs throughout the heart. This tissue conducts an electrical current that causes the heart to contract.These contractions are what cause the heart to pump. The EKG (short for electrocardiogram) monitors that you see on “ER” are used to record this electrical activity.By the way, since you began reading this page, your heart has pumped your entire blood volume of 5-6 liters, completing this entire cycle, at least once.

The Truly Broken Heart: When the heart is damaged, it cannot keep up with the body’s demand. Depending on the type of damage the heart has sustained, the heart may beat in an irregular way, also known as a heart attack. When the heart stops beating entirely, it becomes cardiac arrest. If the heart stops, the entire body is deprived of the oxygen it needs to function and it quickly begins to die.

The heart, itself, will get grumpy within seconds without oxygen. Here is what happens: Minutes withoutoxygen 0-1…..Heart is irritated, and will soon stop beating.1-4…..Full recovery is still possible with no brain damage4-6…..Brain damage is possible 6-10….Brain damage is very likely 10+…..Irreversible brain damage is certain. That’s the bad news. The good news is that if the signals of a heart attack are recognized in time the victim can receive advanced medical treatment before the heart actually stops.

Great strides are being made in this field, and heart attack victims can lead full, healthy lives. Even victims of a full arrest (no pulse, nobreathing) stand a chance if they are given immediate Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).?CPR supplies only about 1/3 of the normal blood flow to the brain, but it is enough to survive on, provided that advanced life support is given in time.

See? You could be the first link in the chain of someone’s survival. (Check out the American Red Cross in Links they will even locate your local chapter for you-then you can call them up and get in on the next CPR class!)

Know the Signals No one wants to believe that they are having a heart attack. They often dismiss their symptoms as indigestion or muscle spasms. Most people who die of heart attacks do so within two hours after the first signals appear. The key signal is chest pain that won’t go away even after rest. Chest Pain or Discomfort lasting longer than10 minutes not relieved by rest, prescription medication (such asnitroglycerine), or change in position ranges anywhere from discomfort to unbearable crushing sensation, radiating or “Referred” Pain arms, especially the left (which is closest to the heart) shoulders, jaw, Difficulty Breathing, short of breath, rapid breathing, Pulse Rate may be irregular faster or slower than normal, Skin pale ashen or bluish (especially around lips), Profuse Sweating, Act Quickly!

This is where your powers of persuasion come in . . . 1.Convince the victim to stop and rest – be calm and diplomatic – do not threaten or yell, it will only make a bad situation worse.

2.Call EMS, or if they object, at least call their doctor (who will probably tell you to call EMS).

3.Help the victim rest comfortably.

4.Comfort them and try to obtain information about their condition.

5.Assist with medication, only if prescribed.

6.Monitor the victim’s condition.

7.Be prepared to give CPR if the victim’s heart stops beating.

An Ounce Of Prevention, Let’s keep this simple, shall we??Smoking is bad for you, don’t do it, if you do, QUIT!?Need help??See the nice folks at the American Lung Association.

Diet- Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Limit saturated fats and cholesterol. Consult a nutritionist or dietician if you need help with this.?Please,stay away from crash diets, they are only a temporary fix (If they work at all) and they do more damage than good.

Get at least 20-30 minutes of aerobic (walking, dance, biking, running, etc.) exercise at least three times per week.Blood Pressure- get yours checked regularly!?Talk to your doctor about how to manage highblood pressure if you have it. Manage your stresslevel.?(Exercise is great way to blow off steam.)

Take a moment of solitude for yourself every day.?(SERENITY NOW!) Maintain a HEALTHY weight that is right for you.?Talk to your doctor if you need guidance.