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 | Health Spotlight: Heart Disease |  |
 Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. CHD is caused by a narrowing of the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart, and often results in a heart attack.
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Each year, about 1.1 million Americans suffer a heart attack.  About 460,000 of those heart attacks are fatal. About half of those deaths occur within 1 hour of the start of symptoms and before the person reaches the hospital.
Fortunately, everyone can take steps to protect their heart–and their life or that of someone else. The key is seeking medical care as soon as possible.
Heart Attack Warning Signs (from www.americanheart.org)
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense — the "movie heart attack," where no one doubts what's happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:
• Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath. May occur with or without chest discomfort.
Other signs: These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness
Heart Disease Spotlight Links
Information on medical tests for heart catheterization, heart catheterization for congenital heart defects, and heart echocardiograms.
Info on Coronary Artery Disease Treatment
The CardioCare Center is a good source for information and assistance. Read about support programs, research, and new advances in the
field of cardiac care.
Offers various webcasts and articles
A heart disease risk calculator that estimates your risk of having a heart attack or dying of heart disease within the next 10 years
Tips for Heart-Healthy Living
Cardiac Rehabilitation- a comprehensive risk factor modification and educational program that provides risk factor management to patients with cardiovascular disease
A listing of tests and procedures. Scroll down to view Heart Disorders.
A thorough guide to heart disease, including risk factors, tests, drug treatments and other heart problems.
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3-D Animations
A video animation demonstrates how a heart attack can happen.
An atlas of the human body with a guide to the heart.
Videos
A listing of various heart related videos.
A video of an
echocardiogram that
shows a normal
mitral valve.
Foundations and Organizations
Medical Doctor Advice
Mayo Clinic specialists answer select heart disease questions from readers.
Respected doctors take questions and give
answers on heart and circulatory conditions.
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