October 05, 2002

By: Laurie Simpson
Website: http://www.1st-in-wellness.com

Heart disease can kill you before you know what hit you

Heart disease or heart attacks as the condition is also called is the leading cause of death in both men and women in North America. It is actually the narrowing of the arteries to the heart reducing blood flow. Plaque and fatty deposits build up on the inside of the arteries and cause a blockage. This is what causes what we know as a heart attack. Approximately half of the people that suffer a heart attack will die. There is a window of about an hour that they must receive treatment in or their chances are greatly reduced. Heart disease must be treated as soon as the symptoms start.

When too little blood reaches the heart chest pains and angina will occur. The pain heart disease causes may start out very mildly and hardly be noticed. This may go on over a long period of time. Or it may come on profoundly causing great pain and immediate need for treatment. This is the time when that one-hour window is vital. You must not hesitate to get to a hospital if you feel severe or even mild chest pain. It could be a matter of life and death.

If a blood clot suddenly cuts off most or all blood supply to the heart, a heart attack results. Cells in the heart muscle that do not receive enough oxygen-carrying blood begin to die. The more time that passes without treatment to restore blood flow, the greater the damage to the heart. Death is the worst case, and very frequent result of heart disease.

About The Author:

Laurie Simpson is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-wellness.com.  Obtaining and keeping good health through healthy living, natural healing, great mental health and healthy finances.