Approximately 610,000 people die of heart disease in the U.S. every year, making it the leading cause of death for both men and women. Additionally, about 735,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year. A heart attack occurs when the flow of blood to a section of the heart becomes blocked and the heart is unable to receive oxygen. Most heart attacks occur due to Coronary Heart Disease, a condition in which plaque builds up inside an individual’s coronary arteries.
Here’s a list of common symptoms of a heart attack:
- Pain or discomfort in the center or left side of the chest
- Difficulty breathing
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Unusual feelings of fatigue
- Arm, back, shoulder, neck, jaw or upper stomach pain
- Breaking out in a cold sweat
- Vomiting
If you believe that someone may be having a heart attack, call 9-1-1 immediately and get them to the nearest hospital.
