( S.H.DePra )
If heart attacks really happened as they are portrayed in the movies - the sudden, intense chest pain that brings you to your knees -- it would be easier to know when to go to the hospital. But in reality, the pain and discomfort caused by a heart attack can be more subtle, especially for women.

Heart attacks are the leading killer of both men and women in America. Waiting for symptoms to subside could result in an undesirable outcome. A heart attack happens every 34 seconds in America, affecting more than a million people each year. More than a third of them pass away.

"If you're having a heart attack, prompt medical attention may help protect your heart muscle from permanent damage, and perhaps save your life," says Dr. Camillo Franklyn, Internal Medicine Physician at Prowers Medical Group. "The medical term for heart attack is myocardial infarction. A heart attack occurs when the blood that brings oxygen to the heart muscle is blocked, often by a blood clot. A less common cause of a heart attack is a coronary artery spasm that restricts blood flow. Without oxygen, heart muscle cells begin to break down. A heart attack can cause permanent damage to the heart, impairing its pumping ability. However, survival rates are favorable for those who seek immediate medical attention."

A heart attack may be the first sign of coronary artery disease (CAD) which can be caused by plaque build-up. CAD narrows or blocks the arteries and increases the likelihood of developing blood clots.


In addition to heart attacks, CAD can lead to other medical problems including angina, which causes chest pain and discomfort, or arrhythmia which is an irregular heartbeat. Over time angina can weaken the heart muscle and cause heart failure.

Heart attack symptoms can range from mild discomfort to gripping pain. Many people put off seeking medical attention, blaming indigestion or not recognizing the signs. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of these heart attack symptoms:



Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort or pain

Nausea, vomiting, light-headedness or sudden dizziness

Cold sweats

Unusual or unexplained fatigue Chest pain or discomfort is the most common sign of heart attack in both men and women.

However, women are more likely than men to experience the less obvious symptoms. As soon as heart attack symptoms begin, research shows that chewing an aspirin can be beneficial since this common drug has an anti-clotting effect in the bloodstream. Once medical help is at hand, avoid losing precious treatment time. Immediately tell the ambulance or emergency room personnel that you think you may be having a heart attack. To determine if a heart attack is in progress or has occurred, your vital signs will be monitored and imaging or blood tests will be done if necessary. Treatment might include drugs, heart bypass surgery or other procedures aimed at restoring proper blood flow. If you're very lucky, you may come away with just a prescription for a more heart-healthy diet and active lifestyle.

In February, the AHA sponsors American Heart Month to educate people about how to have heart-healthy lives and what the risk factors are for developing heart problems. Celebrating its 10th year in 2013, the American Heart Association's (AHA) "Go Red for Women" campaign has worked to help women and medical professionals understand how heart attack symptoms differ for men and women.

"The good news is that deaths from cardiovascular disease fell more than 32 percent from 1999 to 2009," says Pat Cooper, vice president for clinical operations at Quorum Health Resources (QHR). "And the American Heart Association is predicting that figure will continue to be positively influenced in the future by further declines in smoking, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. However, we face other medical and lifestyle barriers. These include the projected high rate of diabetes and obesity, and slow progress in improving overall diet and beneficial physical activity. With about a million heart attacks a year and more than $108 billion in annual spending related to coronary artery disease, the cost of poor heart health to Americans and our society as a whole is very high, both personally and economically."

The AHA provides an online tool that lets people assess their 10-year risk of having a heart attack or dying from coronary artery disease, along with suggestions for improving that outlook. To complete the heart attack risk assessment and learn more, go to heart.org.

This article provided courtesy of Prowers Medical Center and Quorum Health Resources, LLC ( "QHR" ).