Heart attacks, known by their medical name of acute myocardial infarction, are a state of disease that involves the interruption of the bloody supply to part of the heart. The result is a shortage of oxygen that can damage the heart tissue and potentially kill. Heart attacks are the leading cause of death all over the world. Major heart attack risk factors include a history of angina or vascular disease, a previous stroke or heart attack, old age, excessive alcohol, the abuse of illegal drugs, smoking, episodes of abnormal heart beat, obesity, high levels of stress, high or low cholesterol, high triglyceride levels, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Heart attack occurs when blood supply to the heart is suddenly cut off due to the blockage caused by the clotting of the blood. The cells present in the heart muscles would die once they lack the necessary oxygen-carrying blood. The more prolonged the condition remains, the greater number of cells perishes.

Women often describe their chest pain as pressure, tightness, or an ache. But often, women do not experience severe pain during a heart attack. When chest pain occurs, it usually feels like discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes- which may come and go. For this reason, women should take milder chest pain more seriously.

The patient must be encouraged to resume his work/ normal life-style as soon as possible, whenever he is declared fit by his physician. He may be advised light work and his daily duration of work may be reduced in the beginning. The patient may even need psychological assistance. It is also good for the patient to take light regular exercises. However, sports requiring heavy exertion should not be undertaken. The patient in any case should not overexert himself, should take good rest/sleep, and should feel happy and contented. Emotional outbursts, undue anxiety or depression, etc. must be avoided as far as possible.

Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol Small, dense LDL globules are far more likely to cause blood clots than are larger, less dense ones. And when a person's antioxidant intake is low, LDL oxidation increases, which appears to be a key step in the development of heart disease. If total LDL is high, it may be wise to have an additional blood test to find out which type predominates.

Avoid exercise and elevators. OK, I believe jogging and sweating and lifting weights are good for me. And I do some of it. But I also find it useful to walk around the block to get the mail (the box is across the street) or take the stairs instead of the elevator. I walk the dog, push the lawnmower and play tennis and golf with my friends. That way I figure I'm exercising and leaving the gyms open for the rest of you.

Spend time with friends. Talking, sharing dreams, giving and receiving support, solving life's great mysteries and debating politics or religion with a friend does wonders for the soul. And, hugs are good. And if you have a life-partner, I find talking regularly seems to avoid a number of other problems, as well!