[healthyheart.MD]

A heart attack may cause a cardiac arrest. A cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops pumping blood to organs of the body. Ten seconds into a cardiac arrest, a person loses consciousness. If you shake or shout at the person, he or she will not respond.
As the heart stops, breathing may stop completely. When this happens, the person is having a cardiopulmonary arrest. Without cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, the patient dies!
Not all heart attacks lead to cardiac arrest. However, when it happens, the person or people you have chosen to share your health condition with should call 911, then immediately perform CPR.
The last few years have seen an increase in the availability of special machines that can shock the heart in cases of a cardiac arrest. These are known as Automated External Defibrillators or AED.

These life-saving devices can now be found in many public places and airplanes

If an Automated External Defibrillator is available, it should be used before CPR is initiated or 911 called.
These machines are very easy to use. It is important that you, your family members and friends learn how to use these machines. Ask your local hospital about special classes that teach the use of AEDs.

Prevention

Medications, procedures, and surgeries do not cure coronary artery disease. If healthy lifestyle changes are not adopted, blockage of coronary arteries will become even worse until a heart attack happens.
The following are 9 important tips for living a healthier lifestyle that can improve the health of your heart.
1. Do not smoke.

2. Be physically active, under your doctor’s supervision.

3. Eat a healthy, balanced diet that is rich in fiber and low in fat.

4. Check the level of cholesterol in your blood. If it is high, get it under control.

5. Check your blood pressure regularly. If it is high, keep it under control.

6. Lose weight if you are overweight.

7. Check the level of sugar in your blood. If it is high, keep it under control.

8. Get enough sleep at night.

9. Manage stress in your life.
If you have angina or other heart diseases, talk with your doctor before starting any exercise or weight loss program.

Summary

Heart attacks are common among people with coronary artery disease. If not treated promptly, they could be fatal. There is a lot you can do to prevent a heart attack, including making changes in your lifestyle toward more healthy habits.
In addition to lifestyle changes, the right combination of medications can lower your risk of heart attack;

• • • Vasodilators, which lower blood pressure by causing the blood vessels to relax and widen
    
    • Aspirin, which reduces the chances of the blood forming clots
    
    • Statins, which lower your LDL, the "bad" cholesterol which can build up in your arteries
• Beta blockers, which relax the heart muscle and allows the heart to pump more easily
• If you have coronary artery disease, your chances of surviving a heart attack are much higher if you have a plan of action. This plan involves determining who to alert, when to seek emergency medical help, how to get there, and what to tell the emergency healthcare providers.
  • Medical technology is available to help your heart recover. However, recovery depends on seeking help as soon as possible!
    Check with your healthcare team about how they can help you learn to reduce your risk of heart attack.
    In addition to your personal physician, your team may include:
    • specialized nurse care managers
    
    • pharmacists
    
    • clinical health educators
    
    • dietitians,
    
    • social workers, and
    
    • specialists in behavioral medicine