This Is The Main Cause Of Heart Attacks In The Majority Of People.


According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a heart attack occurs every 40 seconds in the United States, and 1 in 5 victims don't even recognize they've had one because their symptoms are minor but can nevertheless frequently result in cardiac damage. Heart attacks happen far too frequently, yet according to the World Health Organization, "Premature heart attacks and strokes account for 80% of cases. The keys to prevention are a healthy diet, frequent exercise, and quitting tobacco. It is also crucial to monitor and manage risk factors for heart disease and strokes, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, and diabetes." Consume This, Not That! Eric Stahl, MD, was interviewed by Health. Non-Invasive a cardiologist at Staten Island University Hospital explains the causes of heart attacks and offers advice on how to avoid having one. Continue reading and pay close attention to these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID to protect your health and the health of others.



What You Should Know About Heart Attacks


says Dr. Stahl "When a coronary artery's blood flow is obstructed, oxygen cannot reach the heart muscle, which results in a heart attack. Atherosclerosis, or the accumulation of fatty plaque in the coronary arteries, is the most frequent cause of heart attacks. The arteries get harder and narrower as the plaque accumulates. A blood clot will form inside the artery and impede blood flow when plaque ruptures. In the USA, there are about 805,000 heart attacks per year."


How a Heart Attack Might Feel


According to Dr. Stahl, persons who are having a heart attack frequently experience left-sided chest pain, discomfort, or pressure. "Though each person is unique, symptoms might differ. Breathing difficulties, nausea, dizziness, jaw pain, and pain in the left arm are other symptoms that may be present."


Why Heart Attacks Occur So Frequently


Dr. Stahl clarifies: "In the USA, there are about 805,000 heart attacks every year. Due to the high incidence of risk factors, heart attacks and coronary artery disease are frequent. Atherosclerosis, the emergence of coronary artery disease, and heart attacks are all caused by smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, sedentary lifestyles, and poor food."


How Much Of A Heart Attack Is Preventable?


According to Dr. Stahl, "Preventing coronary artery disease and heart attacks relies on reducing modifiable risk factors. Age, gender, and genetics are risk factors that cannot be changed. On the other hand, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and poor diet can be improved, treated, or controlled. Addressing these risk factors should begin early in life."



Smoking


Dr. Stahl reminds us that smoking continues to be the largest preventable cause of death in the USA. "Numerous chemical components found in cigarette smoke induce atherosclerosis and blood clots. Early atherosclerosis is caused by smoking even fewer than five cigarettes per day. The more cigarettes are smoked each day, the higher the risk of coronary artery disease and heart attacks. Immediately lowering your risk of cardiovascular disease is quitting smoking."


High Cholesterol


As Dr. Stahl explains, "Fatty deposits accumulate in the heart's arteries due to excessive cholesterol, which increases the risk of heart attacks. Some of the main risk factors for high cholesterol are genetics, nutrition, exercise, and obesity. Even if the arteries are not entirely stopped, the arteries narrow as plaque accumulates, which might result in symptoms."


Diabetes


Diabetes doubles to quadruples the risk of coronary artery disease, according to Dr. Stahl. "It accomplishes this by resulting in high cholesterol, obesity, and a general inflammatory condition, all of which accelerate atherosclerosis and the formation of fatty plaque. Over the age of 65, heart disease claims the lives of about 68% of people with diabetes."


High Blood Pressure


Dr. Stahl says, "High blood pressure increases the pressure on the heart. Over time, uncontrolled hypertension causes the heart muscle to thicken and promotes atherosclerosis within the coronary arteries. Although the thicker muscle requires more blood to be delivered, the progressively narrower arteries deliver less and less. This process eventually leads to symptoms and a possible heart attack."