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A Closer Look at You Women and Heart Attack By Gopi Shah, M.D., Cardiology 
Heart disease is the No. 1 killer
of women, striking down one
in every three women, compared
to one in 30 who die of breast
cancer. One form of heart disease, a
heart attack, can strike suddenly and
with no advance warning. Learning
more about heart attacks now can help
protect you in the future.What Is a Heart Attack? Each year, about 1.1 million Americans suffer a heart attack, also known as a coronary attack or myocardial infarction. "A heart attack occurs when a blocked artery stops blood flow to a portion of the heart," says Gopi Shah, M.D., cardiologist on staff at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. "Blockages are generally caused by atherosclerosis, a thickening and hardening of the artery." First, fat, cholesterol and other substances build up over time into plaque in the blood, which is deposited on the artery wall. Eventually some of the plaque may break off, with a blood clot forming around it. This clot can block a coronary artery, cutting blood flow to the heart. In rarer cases, the heart's blood supply can be cut off by a temporary contraction or spasm of a coronary artery. In either case, without adequate blood flow, the heart muscle doesn't get the oxygen and nutrients it needs, and quickly begins to die. Are You at Risk? Nearly two-thirds of American women who died suddenly of a heart attack had no prior symptoms. "Knowing your risk factors can help you make smart health choices that may prevent a heart attack, and may help you be more prepared in the event that an attack occurs," explains Dr. Shah. Some risk factors are uncontrollable: a family history of heart disease, and being 55 years old or older. Other risk factors can be controlled by adopting smart health habits and, when necessary, the use of medication or medical procedures. Controllable factors are smoking (or exposure to secondhand smoke), high blood pressure, high cholesterol, being overweight/obese, physical inactivity, diabetes, stress and drinking too much alcohol.
Take Action Talk to your health care provider about your risk of getting a heart attack or come out and meet Dr. Shah at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital's Health Fair on Saturday, May 3, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For Your Next Office Visit Questions to Ask Your Doctor
New CPR Guidelines Help Save More Lives
The American Heart Association (AHA) has revised CPR guidelines in hopes of creating a more effective way to help those suffering from cardiac arrest or other breathing difficulties. The new CPR routine gives victims 30 chest compressions (rather than 15) for every two breaths, increasing blood flow to the heart and other organs and improving the chances of survival. For more information on the new CPR guidelines, visit the AHA Web site at www.americanheart.org. |
