Heart Attack Archive

About 5% of Americans have low-density lipoprotein (LDL) values of 190 mg/dL or higher. Their risk of heart disease is five times higher than people with near-optimal values (less than 130 mg/dL). Some have familial hypercholesterolemia, a genetic condition that can lead to LDL values up to 350 mg/dL (or even higher in some cases). Known as FH, it's a common cause of early heart attacks.

People can learn how to give chest compressions—a key aspect of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR—by watching a 90-second online video. CPR keeps blood flowing to the brain and vital organs during a cardiac arrest. There are various ways to practice chest compressions on a mannequin, including at an in-person class or at one of 30 kiosks (including six at major airports) located nationwide.

Heart attack symptoms can be severe or subtle. The underlying process that causes a heart attack can differ, and people may experience significant heart damage or little to none. Doctors diagnose a heart attack based on symptoms, a person's cardiovascular risk profile, electrocardiogram findings and the blood troponin level. Troponin is a protein released when heart damage occurs. Immediate and long-term treatment depend upon the type of heart attack and its impact on heart function.

Air travel tips for people who have or are at risk for heart disease include bringing extra prescription medications in a carry-on bag and drinking water—but not alcohol—during the flight. When taking medications (especially blood pressure and anti-clotting drugs), people should try to schedule their doses based on their home time zone. On a long flight, walking a little every hour or so will help improve circulation in the legs; so can flexing the feet and circling the ankles. Doing so may reduce the chance of developing a blood clot, although the overall risk of such clots (known as deep-vein thrombosis) is quite low.

High levels of lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a)—a variant of LDL (bad) cholesterol— may triple the risk of a heart attack, even among healthy people with no other known risks for heart disease.

The combination of drinking alcohol and sleeping while on a plane puts a big strain on the body, especially the cardiovascular system. This is because blood oxygen normally drops slightly when flying high above sea level, sleeping, or consuming alcohol. The more contributors to low blood oxygen there are, the harder the body has to work to compensate by breathing faster and increasing heart rate. There's even more strain if someone has heart or lung disease, which places the person at a higher risk for a heart attack or stroke.

Contrary to previous recommendations, people who think they are having a heart attack or stroke should not take an aspirin on their own. Their symptoms might be caused by a different problem that might be made worse by taking aspirin.

The scientific understanding of HDL cholesterol has evolved in recent years, and many cardiologists now believe that HDL may be more of a bystander rather than a "good guy" that helps lower heart disease risk. While some types of HDL are great at plucking excess cholesterol from LDL and artery walls (a process referred to as reverse cholesterol transport) other types of HDL don't do this. In clinical trials, medications to raise HDL levels—including a drug specifically designed to improve reverse cholesterol transport—have not succeeded in lowering heart attacks and strokes.

Doctors may diagnose heart attacks in people who have not actually had one, in part because they screen people with subtle symptoms out of fear of missing the diagnosis. Failure to diagnose a heart attack is the No. 1 cause of malpractice payouts in the emergency department. But the blood test used to detect a heart attack is very sensitive, and other conditions such as myocarditis (heart inflammation) may be misdiagnosed as a heart attack. This problem of overdiagnosis can expose people to unneeded risks, high costs, and other downsides.

Circulation problems affect how well arteries and veins function. . Artery problems are marked by diminished oxygen and nutrient rich blood flow to the brain and all other body parts. Related conditions include heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. Vein problems often arise when valves in the vessels weaken, allowing blood and fluids to pool. That can cause varicose veins, discolored skin on hands or feet, and swollen legs, ankles, or feet.