1. Emily Bainbridge & Olivia Palmer 3/23/2018 Period B
Heart attacks
Emily Bainbridge & Olivia Palmer
3/23/2018
Period B

2. What is a Heart attack?
A heart attack is a complete blockage of the coronary artery caused by a blood clot or plague buildup, which stops any sort of blood flow to the heart. The lack of blood flow results in the heart not getting the oxygen it needs.

3. What causes a heart attack?
A heart attack is caused by a blockage of the coronary artery either by a blood clot or plaque buildup.
Plaque buildup can be caused by:
Smoking
Obesity
Diabetes
Unhealthy diet
High blood pressure
High cholesterol levels\
Stress
Drug use
Family history of heart problems

4. Groups most affected by heart attacks
The people who are more at risk of heart attacks is men older than 45 years of age and women older than 55 years of age, people who have family history of heart disease or heart attacks, people from south Asia are at increased risk of heart disease, which could lead to a heart attack.

5. What systems are affected
Systems/organs affected by heart attacks are the heart muscle, the circulatory system, and arteries. The heart muscle heals by forming scar tissue and usually takes several weeks, depending on the state of heart. The rest of the heart keeps on working even if a part is injured.

6. History of heart attacks
In the 1960's the Coronary Care unit became something in hospitals to specifically care for patients with heart problems
In the 1970's doctors found that blood clots can cause heart attacks
In the 1980's blood thinning drugs or "clot busters" started getting used to treat heart attacks
In the 1990's statins became standard treatment for heart attacks
In the 2000's heart attacks became less fatal, only 3 in 10 people die from heart attacks, unfortunately when surviving a heart attack there may be permanent damage.

7. Prevention
Some ways to prevent heart attacks are medications and lifestyle factors (don't smoke, exercise, etc.). If a heart attack is suspected, use aspirin to prevent further blood clotting and Nitroglycerin to reduce the heart's workload and improve blood flow.

8. How are heart attacks identified?
Heart attacks are identified by an EKG (electrocardiogram), blood tests, an angiography (use of dyes and specialized x-rays), or an Echocardiogram.
An Electrocardiogram is a test that records the electrical activity of your heart.
An Echocardiogram uses an ultrasound to evaluate your heart muscles and Valves

9. Signs and symptoms Signs and symptoms of heart attacks include:
Chest pain or discomfort
Upper body discomfort
Shortness of breath
Breaking out in cold sweat
Feeling unusually tired
Nausea and vomiting
Light headedness/sudden dizziness

10. Life after a heart attack
Complications that can occur after a heart attack:
Irregular heartbeat
Heart rupture
Heart Failure
Leaking heart valves
Low blood pressure
Swelling of the heart sac
Remember to:
Take medication you're prescribed
Attend follow-up appointments
Participate with cardiac rehabilitation
Get Support
Manage your risk factors

11. Did you know?
Having a heart attack is not the same as cardiac arrest. Heat attacks are caused by blockage, whereas cardiac arrest happens when the heart suddenly stops due to malfunction
Most heart attacks happen on Monday Mornings
People who live alone are two times as likely to have a heart attack

12. Sources
Attacks_UCM_002038_Article.jsp#.WrUaohGGMdV
attacks