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Ignore a stop sign and you could damage your car. Ignore the signs of a heart attack, and you risk damaging your heart. The leading cause of death for men in the United States is heart disease. The average age of a first heart attack for men is about 66 years. Unfortunately, too many men assume their chest discomfort is nothing more than heartburn. Denying the signs of a heart attack is a grave mistake. Symptoms often come on slowly, but the longer you wait to get help, the greater the chance your heart will be permanently damaged.
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A smokers' risk of heart disease is 2--4 times higher than nonsmoker's.The key to minimizing or stopping a heart attack is recognizing your body's distress signals. Chest pain is the most common symptom associated with heart attacks in men. The discomfort in your chest can feel like tightness, squeezing or pressure. You may also feel pain in the neck, back, jaw or radiating down both arms. Other signs are shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea or sweating, although men are less likely to exhibit these heart attack symptoms than women. Remember, every second counts. If you feel any of the warning signs listed, call your physician or 911 immediately. -
An inactive lifestyle is another risk factor, according to the AHA.The best way to stop a heart attack is to prevent one. If you have a family history of heart disease, your chances of having a heart attack almost double. Smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, physical inactivity, alcohol abuse and stress also increase your risk of a heart attack. -
High blood pressure increases the heart's workload and your risk.Your doctor will diagnose whether you are actually having a heart attack by looking at your medical history and giving you a physical examination. Your physician will also study the results of specific tests, including an electrocardiogram (or EKG) to discover any abnormalities caused by damage to the heart, and a blood test to detect abnormal levels of certain enzymes in the bloodstream.
