Anvesha Bhagat
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A heart attack, myocardial infarction, happens when the blood that brings the oxygen to the heart muscle becomes blocked. As a result, the heart does not get enough oxygen to function properly so the heart muscle will begin to die. There are two types of heart attacks: STEMI and NSTEMI which is determined by if the blockage is complete or partial; STEMI requires immediate attention as this is severe and can stop the heart from functioning due to the coronary artery being completely blocked. According to the CDC, more than 800,000 people in the United States have a heart attack every year which is common for older adults. The World Health organization states that more than four out of 5 cardiovascular diseases deaths are due to heart attacks. Unfortunately, heart attacks are hereditary meaning that having a family history of heart attacks may increase the risk of you having one as it can be passed down, so it is extremely crucial for one to know their family medical history and understand the risk factors ahead of time. The average age for heart attacks is 65 years for men, while 72 for women.Many heart attack signs can be noticeable from anything between a few minutes prior or weeks in advance. A common sign that is noticed amongst the people is chest pain where there is pressure in the center of the chest. As a result, one could experience feelings of fullness or squeezing. This pain is either constant pain or intermittent pain. Additionally, one may also feel discomfort in the upper body which ranges from the neck, arms, and the jaw. Other symptoms include cold sweating without any physical activity, where the skin appears to be pale or have a tint of grey, the skin feels clammy and cold. As heart attacks are sudden, one should always contact 911 if they feel any discomfort, so that you could get the best treatment possible.
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