The heart requires a balance between oxygen supply and oxygen demand in order to function properly. The integrity of the coronary arteries is an important determinant of oxygen supply to the heart muscle, any disorder that reduces the lumen of one of the coronary arteries may cause a decrease in blood flow and oxygen delivery to the area of myocardium supplied by that vessel and lead to acute coronary syndromes of acute myocardial infarction.
Myocardial infarction refers to a dynamic process by which one or more regions of the heart muscle experience a severe and prolonged decrease in oxygen supply because of insufficient coronary blood flow. This causes severe chest pain and might kill the victim within seconds. Some attacks may be silent but eventually deadly.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the main culprit of heart attack is the presence of Coronary Artery Disease or CAD which is caused by fat deposits sticking to the vessel walls. Thus, they prevent the passage of blood to supply oxygen to the muscles of the heart. It is the leading cause of death. In fact, around 610,000 people die of heart disease in the United States every year and less than 800,000 Americans suffer from heart attack.
Lifestyle changes and modifications may reduce the risk of having a heart attack. Limiting intake of high fat foods, reducing weight, eating healthy and regular exercise are proven steps to prevent heart attack from killing people.
According to Health.com, everyone should know CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This is a lifesaver especially for patients who had a heart attack. CPR saves the body as it does the work for the heart. Chest compressions continue pumping out blood from the heart to the vital parts of the body including the brain. When the brain does not receive the oxygen it needs for more than two minutes, it will cause nerve necrosis or nerve cell death which is fatal.