Discovering the 6 Causes of Heart Attacks

The four chambered heart in human beings is a complex pumping device where purified blood from the pulmonary veins coming from the lungs is supplied to the rest of the body and carbonated blood from the pulmonary artery is pumped for purification and oxygenation to the lungs. This small piece of organ is as vital as the human brain itself and though we fancy our brains for most of the chores executed daily in our lives it is the heart, which at the foundation of the human organs, governs the vital activities of all the other organs in the body including the brain. Once the heart stops pumping then all the vital signs of life cease to exist. It is for this reason that the heart occupies the very helm of all the organs structured inside a mammal and other life forms.

Myocardium Infraction or coronary thrombosis as it is popularly called in the medical terminology is known as a heart attack for the layman. A heart attack is one of the most acute problems that the human body can suffer from as heart disease in one of America’s greatest killers.

Scientific researchers have revealed that the prime cause of heart arrest is due to blockage in the coronary artery via cholesterol; while some of the others view it in the light of the genetic inheritance of the human chromosome. Whatever the reasons may be, impromptu medical attention is required for the patient suffering from a heart attack.

Even as the scientific researchers identify the minor and major degrees of heart attacks, prevention is always at the forefront of heart health.

The following is a list of some of the known and unknown causes of cardiac arrest:

Smoking is indeed perceived as the most common cause for lung cancer but did you know it is also a major cause for cardiac arrest? Smoking causes artery stiffness by acute deposition of carbon into them, thus elevating the CLD levels in the body which is the root cause of heart attacks.

Hypertension: – Hyper tension is one of the most common problems of the contemporary world and is a result of eminent anxiety caused by excessive work loads or concern. The arteries tend to dilate thus profusion of cholesterol increases, thereby increasing the chances of heart attacks.

Sex oriented medicines: – Recently large numbers of cases were reported for cardiac arrest with the introduction of Viagra. Acting as a stimulant for the body, the medicine is said to have aroused sudden increases in blood supply to all the major muscles which unfortunately caused the unnatural break down of already clogged arteries and veins damaging the vital network of the heart.

Aggression: – It is believed that too much aggression can also play a significant role in causing heart attacks.

Diet: – While it is very much emphasized to maintain a balanced diet rich in fibers and vitamins, the advice goes unheeded by the majority of us. Junk food is the major concern as the majority of food we eat comes fried or is associated with preservatives which when mixed with the blood becomes the major cause of concern for our metabolism and heart which is constantly pumping impure abnormal viscous blood.

Fried food: – Most of us appreciate deep fried chicken or French fries from time to time. Well, for the record each time we consume such delicacies, we are injecting mammoth proportions of cholesterol into our body and heart. Although the food may tantalize your taste buds, it is also a sweet poison that will gradually make your heart weak resulting in Myocardium Infraction.

Living a healthier lifestyle can greatly improve your chances of living longer and happier. Even though we tend to live at a rapid pace with a daily routine of work, family, friends and more, you must always take the time to treat your body right by slowing things down for a minute. Eat right if not always, then at least every once in awhile. Exercise and maintain a stable state of mind to help alleviate stress. Follow a few simple rules to create better heart health. For more on living a healthier life, visit our “Health” section.

AED’s – Saving Lives In American Homes

Statistics speak volumes, and given the statistics for heart disease, it’s hardly surprising that the AED, or automated external defibrillator as it’s more commonly know, is gaining ground as a safety item for the American home.

An AED is basically a portable defibrillator. A defibrillator is a machine used to restart the heart in the event of cardiac arrest. It does this by sending a brief but powerful charge of electricity to the heart, causing it to completely shut down momentarily and allowing it to “recalibrate” back to a normal rhythm.

So why would anyone want a defibrillator in their home? Well, as I said, statistics speak volumes, and where heart disease is concerned, bigger volumes you’ll have a tough time finding. Take a look at the following statistics:

• Approximately every 30 seconds someone in the US dies from heart disease.
• Over 2,500 Americans die from heart disease every day.
• Approximately every 20 seconds, an American has a heart attack.
• Over 250,000 people die of heart attacks outside of a hospital setting annually in the US.
• Cardiovascular disease causes close to 6 million hospitalizations each year in the US.
• Cardiovascular disease is the number 1 killer in the United States and has been for many years.

Very sobering, however, an AED is not used on “heart disease” per se, nor is it used for a heart attack victim. No, an AED is very limited in what it can actually do, and what that is, is to re-start the heart after it has suffered sudden cardiac arrest.

The condition that an AED is used for is technically called, ventricular fibrillation. By this is meant that the lower chambers of the heart, called the ventricles, are no longer beating as normal, but instead “fibrillating” or quivering in a fast, chaotic motion. In this condition they are no longer able to pump blood around the body, causing sudden death.

But here’s the rub. Although the AED is not used for other heart conditions, other heart conditions, especially heart attacks, tend to precede sudden cardiac arrest, so having an AED around is more than a good idea if you have a know heart condition.

AED’s were once used only by medical professionals, such as ambulance crews and other medical personnel. But before the mid 80’s they tended to be large, relatively cumbersome, and very technical to use.

Enter the 21st century AED. This new streamlined machine is not only slim, lightweight and consequently portable, it is, as its name suggests, extremely automated, allowing just about anyone to pick one up and use it in an emergency. So automated is it that it can monitor the victim’s heart activity to determine if defibrillation is necessary, then, if so, this AED will walk the operator through the defibrillation process using audiovisual prompts and instructions.

So why have an AED in the home? Well, let’s check out some statistics regarding sudden cardiac arrest:

• Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is a leading cause of death in the US, killing an estimated 325,000 Americans each year
• It is estimated that 95 percent of those who suffer cardiac arrest die before they reach a hospital or other source of emergency help.
• SCA kills on average 1,000 people every day. That’s one person every two minutes.
• Without emergency medical help, SCA leads to death within minutes.
• Victims of cardiac arrest can be saved if an AED is available to deliver an electric shock and restore the heart to its normal patterned rhythm.

Make no mistake, having an AED nearby in the event of a cardiac emergency, especially if you have know heart issues, is perhaps the best life insurance money can buy.