ABOUT MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION (HEART ATTACK)

Approximately 4 to 5 million people will be evaluated in United States hospitals for chest pain this year.  Of the 4 to 5 million, 1.5 million will suffer a heart attack, also known as an Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI).

Of the 1.5 million heart attack patients seen in emergency rooms, nearly 1/3 (500,000) will die.

Nearly half of these deaths will occur within the first hour of the onset of symptoms.

Including pre-hospital death, the first prolonged attack of chest pain has a 34% death rate, and in 17% of patients severe chest pain is the first, last and only symptom.

Chest Pain Suggestive of a Heart Attack

  • Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing, or pain in the center of the chest lasting several minutes (usually more than 15 minutes).
  • Pain spreading to the shoulder neck, arms, or jaw, or pain in the back or between the shoulder blades.
  • Any discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea, or shortness of breath.
  • An overall feeling of distress, anxiety, or impending doom.

In summary, chest pain is usually described as substernal and as a crushing, heavy, constricting, or oppressive discomfort.  Less commonly, it is located in the epigastrium (stomach area) and described as indigestion.  Relief of chest pains with antacids in the case of indigestion may not indicate a gastrointestinal cause.  Any new chest discomfort should be evaluated, especially in patients at risk.

Risk Factors
Clearly some risk factors cannot be changed.  These factors include heredity, gender, race, and age.  But many factors can be modified or even changed.  These factors include the following:

  • Cigarette Smoking
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Elevated Cholesterol Levels
  • Elevated Triglyceride Levels
  • Lack of Exercise
  • Obesity
  • Stress
  • Diabetes

Reduction of risk factors at a young age can have the greatest impact on life, but interventions later in life must not be ignored.  Preventive measures have been shown to slow the progression of and even reverse arterial disease, which can, help reduce morbidity.

How the Community Can Help to Save Lives
Once the onset of symptoms start, the average time for help to be called is 3 to 4 hours.  This average must be reduced, because saving lives is time dependent, with the most benefit in the first few hours.  A sense of urgency is mandatory, since the majority of sudden deaths occur before hospitalization.  It is clear that the community must be recognized as the first line of defense in saving lives.  All citizens in our community must place strong emphasis on "Call First, Call Fast, Call 9-1-1" at the first signs of chest pains or possible attack.

Community Education
The Plantation Fire Department offers many community education classes, including Chest Pain Awareness and Community CPR.  These classes are offered free of charge.  For more information on these classes or any other classes, please call the Plantation Fire Department at (954) 797-2150.

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