A heart attack is a medical emergency in which the supply of blood to the heart becomes blocked, often as the result of a blood clot.

Difference between a Cardiac Arrest and a Heart Attack

A heart attack is the blockage of an artery leading to the heart and a cardiac arrest involves the heart stopping the pumping of blood around.

Some Warning Signs

• Discomfort, pressure, squeezing, or fullness in the chest that lasts several minutes or resolves then returns.

• Pain or discomfort in the arms, neck, back, stomach, or jaw sudden shortness of breath.

• Other signs can include a cold sweat, a sick or nauseous feeling, or being lightheaded.

When a person has these symptoms, the emergency services should be called immediately.

Clues That You Might Have Heart Disease

• Sleep Apnea: When your snoring is broken up by pauses in your breathing, your brain may not be getting enough oxygen. It will send signals to your blood vessels and heart to work harder to keep blood flow going. This raises your risk for high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, strokes, and heart failure. Fortunately, sleep apnea is treatable.

• Yellow-Orange Bumpy Rash: Extremely high triglyceride levels can make your skin break out around the knuckles of your fingers and toes and on your bottom. A lot of these fats in your blood may play a role in hardening your arteries, and high numbers are often related to other conditions that put you at risk for heart disease and strokes too.

• Poor Grip Strength: The strength of your hand may tell you something about the strength of your heart. Research suggests the ability to squeeze something well means a lower risk of heart disease. If it's hard for you to grasp an object, odds are higher that you have or could develop problems. (But improving your grip strength alone won't necessarily make your heart healthier.)

• Dark Spot Under Nails: If you haven't banged or hurt your finger or toe recently, little dots of blood trapped under your nail could point to an infection in the lining of your heart or valves, called endocarditis. You can also get these blood specks when you have diabetes, and people with that condition are two to four times more likely to have heart disease and strokes.

• Dizziness: Lightheadedness is often a direct result of something wrong with your heart because it isn't pumping enough blood to your brain. Dizziness could be a symptom of an abnormal rhythm, called an arrhythmia. Heart failure, meaning the weakening of the muscle, can also make you unsteady. Feeling woozy is one of the many lesser-known symptoms of a heart attack too.

• Sexual Problems: Some troubles in the bedroom could mean you have heart disease and a greater risk for a heart attack or stroke. Men with erectile dysfunction may have circulation problems related to high blood pressure or narrow arteries from cholesterol buildup. These blood-flow problems can also lessen a woman’s libido and ability to enjoy sex.

• Skin Color Changes: Blue or gray fingers and toes could be from poor circulation of oxygen-rich blood, often due to a heart defect you were born with or narrowed or blocked blood vessels. A lacy, mottled, purple pattern shows up when bits of built-up cholesterol plaques break off, then get stuck in small blood vessels. You might get bloody splotches just under the skin on the inside of your hands and the soles of your feet when you have endocarditis.

• Bleeding Gums: Studies suggest that bleeding, swollen, or tender gums may lead to trouble with your ticker. One theory is that bacteria from your gums gets into your bloodstream and sets off inflammation in your heart. Having gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss, may also raise your chances of a stroke.

• Dark, Velvety Skin Patches: You may find these thick spots, called acanthosisnigricans, in skin folds and creases such as your neck, armpits, and groin when your body has trouble using the hormone insulin. The patches could have skin tags, too. If you aren't being treated for insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, or type 2 diabetes, see your doctor for help controlling your blood sugar and protecting your heart.

• Trouble Breathing: Feeling short of breath can be a symptom of heart failure, an abnormal heart rhythm, or a heart attack. Tell your doctor if you struggle to catch your breath after doing things that used to be easy for you, or if it's hard to breathe while lying down.

• Swelling In Lower Legs: It happens when you stand or sit for a long time, and it's also common during pregnancy. Fluid build-up can also stem from heart failure and poor circulation in your legs. Swollen legs could be from a clot that's blocking the return of blood from your lower limbs to your heart. Call your doctor right away if swelling comes on suddenly.

• Fatigue: Don’t always chalk it up to poor sleep. Heart failure can leave you tired and drained, because the muscle no longer pumps well enough to meet your body’s needs. Watch for other symptoms, such as coughing and swelling, too, since feeling wiped out and weak can be a warning sign of many different conditions, including anemia, cancer, or even depression.

Factors that Increase the Risk of a Heart Attack

• Age: Heart attacks are more likely when a man is over 45, and when a woman is over 55.

• Angina: This causes chest pain due to lack of oxygen or blood supply to the heart.

• Diabetes: This can increase heart attack risk.

• Diet: For example, consuming large quantities of saturated fats can increase the likelihood of a heart attack.

• Genetics: A person can inherit a higher risk of heart attack.

• Heart surgery: This can lead to a heart attack later.

• Hypertension: High blood pressure can put unnecessary strain on the heart.

• Obesity: Being significantly overweight can put pressure on the heart.

• A Previous heart attack.

• Smoking: Smokers are at much higher risk than non-smokers.

• HIV: People who are HIV-positive have a 50 percent higher risk.

• Cholesterol: Cholesterol is a key risk factor because it contributes to the development of plaque, the fatty build up that reduces blood flow to the heart. Follow the rule of 40: Lowering your total cholesterol by 40 points reduces your heart attack risk by about 50%. Drop it another 40 points, and you cut your risk in half again.

• Reduce Stress: The risk of having a heart attack on a Monday, the most stressful day for most people, is up to twice as high as on other days of the week. Try to keep stress and other "negative" emotions under control—with regular exercise, relaxing hobbies, yoga, listening to music, etc.

Preventing a Heart Attack

The best way of preventing a heart attack is to have a healthy lifestyle. Measures for healthy living include the following:

• Not smoking

• Eating a balanced, healthful diet

• Getting plenty of exercise

• Getting plenty of good quality sleep

• Keeping diabetes under control

• Keeping alcohol intake down

• Maintaining blood cholesterol at optimum levels

• Keeping blood pressure at a safe level

• Maintaining a healthy body weight

• Avoiding stress where possible

• Learning how to manage stress

Recovery After a Heart Attack

Recovering from a heart attack can be a gradual process. It may involve:

• Slowly resuming physical activity: It is vital that a recovering heart attack patient stays active. However, a specialist should design an exercise program for them.

• Returning to work: The appropriate time for someone to go back to work depends on various factors, including the severity of the heart attack and the type of job they do. It is vital not to rush back to work.

• A period of depression: Many people who have had a heart attack experience depression not long afterward. Those who feel depressed or anxious should tell their doctors.

• Driving again: Experts advise that a person refrains from driving for at least 4weeks after a heart attack.

• Erectile dysfunction: Approximately one-third of men have problems getting or sustaining an erection after a heart attack. It is important that men with erectile dysfunction talk to their doctors, as medication can restore function in most cases.

Experts say that sexual activity does not raise a person's risk of having another heart attack.

Why High Cholesterol Matters

High cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and strokes. High cholesterol leads to a buildup of plaque that narrows the arteries. This is dangerous because it can restrict blood flow. If the blood supply to a part of the heart or brain is completely cut off, the result is a heart attack or stroke.

What Is Cholesterol?

We may associate cholesterol with fatty foods, but most of the waxy substance is made by our own bodies. The liver produces 75% of the cholesterol that circulates in our blood. The other 25% comes from food. At normal levels, cholesterol actually plays an important role in helping cells do their jobs.

Symptoms of High Cholesterol

High cholesterol does not cause any symptoms. But it does cause damage deep within the body. Over time, too much cholesterol may lead to a buildup of plaque inside the arteries. Known as atherosclerosis, this condition narrows the space available for blood flow and can trigger heart disease. The good news is high cholesterol is simple to detect, and there are many ways to bring it down.

Cholesterol Testing

People older than 20 should have their cholesterol levels checked at least once every four to six years. This is done with a simple blood test known as a fasting lipid profile. It measures the different forms of cholesterol that are circulating in the blood after you avoid eating for nine to 12 hours. The results show your levels of "bad" cholesterol, "good" cholesterol, and triglycerides.

'Bad' Cholesterol

Most of the cholesterol in the blood is carried by proteins called low density lipoproteins or LDL. This is known as bad cholesterol because it combines with other substances to clog the arteries. A diet high in saturated fats and trans fats tends to raise the level of LDL cholesterol. For most people, an LDL score below 100 is healthy, but people with heart disease may need to take medications to lower their LDL.

'Good' Cholesterol

Up to a third of blood cholesterol is carried by high-density lipoproteins or HDL. This is called good cholesterol because it helps remove bad cholesterol, preventing it from building up inside the arteries. The higher the level of HDL cholesterol, the better. People with too little are more likely to develop heart disease. Eating healthy fats, such as olive oil, may help boost HDL cholesterol.

Triglycerides

The body converts excess calories, sugar, and alcohol into triglycerides, a type of fat that is carried in the blood and stored in fat cells throughout the body. People who are overweight, inactive, smokers, or heavy drinkers tend to have high triglycerides, as do those who eat a very high-carb diet. A triglycerides score of 150 or higher puts you at risk for metabolic syndrome, which is linked to heart disease and diabetes.

Total Cholesterol

Total cholesterol measures the combination of LDL, HDL, and VLDL (very low density lipoprotein) in your bloodstream. VLDL is a precursor of LDL, the bad cholesterol. Your total cholesterol number should be looked at together with other risk factors for heart attack.

Cholesterol in Food

Cholesterol-rich foods, like eggs, shrimp, and lobster are no longer completely forbidden. Research shows that the cholesterol we eat has only a small effect on blood cholesterol levels for most people. A few people are "responders," whose blood levels spike up after eating eggs. But for most, saturated fat and trans fats are bigger concerns. Daily cholesterol limits are 300 mg for healthy people and 200 mg for those at higher risk. One egg has 186 mg of cholesterol.

Cholesterol and Family History

Cholesterol comes from two sources -- the body and food -- and either one can contribute to high cholesterol. Some people inherit genes that trigger too much cholesterol production. For others, diet is the main culprit. Saturated fat and cholesterol occur in animal-based foods, including meat, eggs, and dairy products made with milk.  In many cases, high cholesterol stems from a combination of diet and genetics.

What Boosts Your Risk?

Several factors can make you more likely to develop high cholesterol:

• A diet high in saturated fats and cholesterol

• A family history of high cholesterol

• Being overweight or obese

• Getting older

Cholesterol and Gender

Until menopause, women typically have lower total cholesterol levels than men of the same age. They also have higher levels of HDL cholesterol, the good kind. One reason is estrogen: The female sex hormone raises the level of HDL cholesterol. Estrogen production peaks during the childbearing years and drops off during menopause. After age 55, a woman's risk of developing high cholesterol begins to climb.

Cholesterol and Children

There's evidence that cholesterol can begin clogging the arteries during childhood, leading to atherosclerosis and heart disease later in life. Ideally, total cholesterol should be below 170 in people ages 2 to 19.

Cholesterol Buster: Eat More Fiber

If you've ever wondered why some cereals claim to be heart-healthy, it's the fiber. The soluble fiber found in many foods helps reduce LDL, the bad cholesterol. Good sources of soluble fiber include whole-grain breads and cereals, oatmeal, fruits, dried fruits, vegetables, and legumes such as kidney beans.

Cholesterol Buster: Reduce bad fat

No more than 35% of your daily calories should come from fat. But not all fats are equal. Saturated fats -- from animal products and tropical oils -- raise LDL cholesterol. Trans fats carry a double-whammy, boosting bad cholesterol, while lowering the good kind. These two bad fats are found in many baked goods, fried foods (doughnuts, fries, chips), stick margarine, and cookies. Unsaturated fats are found in avocados, olive oil, and peanut oil.  

Cholesterol Buster: Protein

Meat and full-fat milk offer plenty of protein, but they are also major sources of cholesterol. You may be able to reduce LDL cholesterol by switching to soy protein, such as tofu, at some meals. Fish is another great choice. Some varieties, like salmon, are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can improve cholesterol levels.

Cholesterol Buster: Low-Carb Diet

There's growing evidence that low-carb diets may be better than low-fat diets for improving cholesterol levels. In a two-year study funded by the National Institutes of Health, people who followed a low-carb plan had significantly better HDL (good cholesterol) levels than those who followed a low-fat plan.

Cholesterol Buster: Lose Weight

If you're overweight, talk to your doctor about beginning a weight loss program. Losing weight can help you reduce levels of triglycerides, LDL, and total cholesterol. Shedding even a few pounds can also boost levels of good cholesterol -- it tends to go up one point for every 6 pounds you lose.

Cholesterol Buster: Quit Smoking

Giving up tobacco is tough, but here's one more reason to try. When you stop smoking, your good cholesterol is likely to improve by as much as 10%. You may be more successful if you combine several smoking cessation strategies. Talk to your doctor about which options are best for you.

Cholesterol Buster: Exercise

Regular exercise also lowers bad cholesterol. Choose an activity that boosts your heart rate, such as running, swimming, or walking briskly, and aim for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week. It doesn't have to be 30 continuous minutes; two 15-minute walks works just as well.

Treatment: Medications

If high cholesterol runs in your family, diet and exercise may not be enough to get your numbers where you want them. In that case, medication can give cholesterol levels an extra nudge. Statins are usually the first choice. They block the production of cholesterol in the liver.

Treatment: Supplements

Certain dietary supplements may help improve cholesterol levels. These include plant sterols, barley and oats, fiber, and green tea. 

Herbal Remedies

Some studies suggest garlic can knock a few percentage points off total cholesterol. But garlic pills can have side effects and may interact with medications. Other herbs that may reduce cholesterol include:

• Fenugreek seeds

• Artichoke leaf extract

• Yarrow

• Holy basil

How Low Should You Go?

Many people are able to lower cholesterol levels through a combination of medication and lifestyle changes. But how low is low enough? Recent guidelines do not have a target number. If you have diabetes, you are at high risk of developing heart disease, or you already have coronary artery disease, you will probably be put on a drug called a statin to lower your cholesterol.

Can the Damage Be Undone?

It takes years for high cholesterol to clog the arteries with plaque. But there is evidence that atherosclerosis can be reversed, at least to some degree. Dean Ornish, MD, has published several studies showing that a low-fat vegetarian diet, stress management, and moderate exercise can chip away at the build-up inside the coronary arteries. Other research supports the idea that big drops in cholesterol can somewhat help open clogged arteries.

16 Foods That Are Bad For Your Heart

1. Sugar, Salt, Fat

2. Bacon

3. Red Meat (beef, lamb, and pork)

4. Soft Drinks (Your best bet is plain, carbonated, or unsweetened flavored water)

5. Baked Goods (Cookies, cakes, and muffins should be rare treats) Make healthier treats: Swap in whole-wheat flour, trim the sugar, and use liquid plant oils instead of butter or shortening.

6. Processed Meats (Hot dogs, sausage, salami, and lunch meat)

7. White Rice, Bread, and Pasta – Try to get at least half your grains from whole grains like brown rice, oats, and whole wheat. When you shop, look for the words "100% whole grain."

8. Pizza

9. Alcohol

10. Butter - You're better off to replace butter with olive oil or plant based spreads, which contain heart-healthy mono- and polyunsaturated fats.

11. Flavored, Full-Fat Yogurt – For the healthiest choice, get plain low-fat yogurt and add your own fresh fruit, cinnamon, or vanilla for flavor.

12. French Fries – Make your own oven-baked fries with heart-healthy olive oil. They’ll be even better for you if you use sweet potatoes.

13. Fried Chicken – For a crispy but healthier choice, bread skinless chicken breasts in whole-wheat flour and bake instead of frying.

14. Ranch Dressing – You can make a healthier version of your favorite creamy dressings by blending low-fat sour cream or cottage cheese with low-fat buttermilk and fresh herbs like dill, tarragon, or chives.

15. Ice Cream – Cut your calories and fat by choosing sorbet, low-fat or nonfat frozen yogurt, or frozen fruit bars. Check the label for the least amount of sugar and saturated fat.

16. Potato Chips – The most nutritious snacks combine healthy proteins, carbs, and fats, like whole-grain crackers with low-fat cheese or homemade popcorn tossed with olive oil.