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“Exploring health information on the Internet"

Heart Attack and Angina (Chest Pain)

Angina is a protest from the heart muscle that it isn't getting enough oxygen because of diminished blood supply. A heart attack is simply the most extreme state of oxygen deprivation, in which whole regions of heart muscle cells begin to die for lack of oxygen. If the blockage in the arteries serving the heart muscle can be cleared quickly enough -- within the first few hours of the onset of the attack -- the permanent damage can be held to a minimum.

A blockage in the heart's arteries may reduce or completely cut off the blood supply to a portion of the heart. This can cause a blood clot to form and totally stop blood flow in a coronary artery, resulting in a heart attack also called an acute myocardial infarction (MI).  Irreversible injury to the heart muscle usually occurs if medical help is not received promptly. Unfortunately, it is common for people to dismiss heart attack symptoms.

Heart Attack Symptoms / Warning Signs

The American Heart Association and other medical experts say the body will send one or more of these warning signals of a heart attack: Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes. Pain spreading to the shoulders, neck or arms. The pain may be mild to intense. It may feel like pressure, tightness, burning, or heavy weight. It may be located in the chest, upper abdomen, neck, jaw, or inside the arms or shoulders. Chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath. Anxiety, nervousness and/or cold, sweaty skin. Paleness or pallor. Increased or irregular heart rate. Feeling of impending doom.

Not all of these signs occur in every attack. Sometimes they go away and return. If some occur, get help fast.

Proven ways to help prevent heart disease:

     Diet low in total and saturated fat

     Frequent aerobic exercise

     Quit smoking - if you are a smoker

     Treatment to lower elevated cholesterol

     Treatment to lower elevated blood pressure

     Treatment for diabetes

     Aspirin at least once every other day

     Hormone replacement therapy in post-menopausal women

The great thing about heart disease is that it can be prevented. If you think you might be at risk for heart disease, talk to your doctor about ways that you can reduce your risk.

Health Gateway’ Discoveries Heart Health

American Heart Association (http://www.americanheart.org/) provides a variety of valuable easy-to-understand information, including a Heart and Stroke A-Z Guide, Family Health, Risk Awareness, recipes and more.

American Medical Association (AMA) (http://www.ama-assn.org/) provides a variety of information for physicians, health professionals and patients. When looking for heart health information follow the useful links to the patient information; click on patients, click on health information, click on health information again, under diseases click on heart disease and stroke or other topics of interest.

American Medical Women’s Association (http://www.amwa-doc.org/) provides a list of health topics available for the public including Keeping the Cardiovascular System Healthy.

Nutrition Health and Heart Disease (http://www.heart-health.org)

Heart info (http://www.heartinfo.org/) is an independent, educational Web site that provides a wide range of information and services to heart patients and others interested in learning about lowering risk factors for heart disease.

The Heart Surgery Forum (www.hsforum.com ), a cardiothorasic multimedia journal, is the official publication of the International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery, for medical and non-medical audiences; view complete journal articles, participate in discussion forums, watch surgical videos, attend private lectures, visit the New Technology Center, view links to related websites or visit The Learning Center, which provides information and explanations of common cardiovascular diseases, specifically for the non-medical audience.

Mayo Health Oasis (www.mayohealth.org ), directed by a team of Mayo physicians, scientists, writers, and educators, provides an easy-to-read database of explanations on how to treat common and not-so-common illnesses as well as information on disease prevention. Visit Mayo’s Heart and Blood Vessel Center to ask the Mayo physician a heart question, to test your heart knowledge or to find articles about cardiovascular health.

Medtronic Inc. (http://www.medtronic.com) provides information on the heart and on biomedical appliances that alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life.

Prevention Heart Health Quiz (http://www.prevention.com/healing/quiz/heart/)

Take Heart Health Check (http://www.takeheart.co.uk/)

WebMd.com (www.webmd.com  ) provides connectivity and a full suite of services to the healthcare industry that improve administrative efficiencies and clinical effectiveness enabling high-quality patient care. The company's products and services facilitate information exchange, communication and transactions between the consumer, physician and healthcare institutions.