Heart Attack

If you suspect you are having a heart attack, call 911.  It is VERY important that you get help quickly.  The faster you receive help when you have a heart attack, the less damage to your heart.  Damage to the heart is permanent so don't delay!

• Heart Attack Symptoms
• Surviving a Heart Attack
• Reducing Heart Attack Risk
• Testing for a Heart Attack
• Frequently Asked Heart Attack Questions

Please note:  even if you don't have any of the risk factors mentioned below you could still have a heart attack.  Click here for heart attack symptoms.

Factors that increase the risk of a heart attack are:

Factors you cannot control

	Pre-existing coronary heart diseases, including a previous heart attack, a prior angioplasty or bypass surgery, or angina
	Age - In men, the risk of heart attack increases after age 45; in women, the risk increases after age 55.
	Family history of heart attack or heart disease - a father or brother diagnosed before age 55; or a mother or sister diagnosed before age 65.

Factors you can control

	Stop Smoking
	High blood pressure
	High blood cholesterol
	Eating Healthy
	Exercise
	Diabetes

Risk factors do not add their effects in a simple way. Rather, they multiply each other’s effects. So, it is very important to prevent or control heart attack risk factors that can be modified. If you have one or more of these factors, see your health care provider to find out how to reduce your risk of having a first or repeat heart attack.