WHAT IS A HEART ATTACK and WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS

American Heart Association says;

Your heart muscle needs oxygen to survive. A heart attack occurs when the blood flow that brings oxygen to the heart muscle is severely reduced or cut off completely. This happens because coronary arteries that supply the heart muscle with blood flow can slowly become narrow from a buildup of fat, cholesterol and other substances that together are called plaque. This slow process is known as atherosclerosis. When a plaque in a heart artery breaks, a blood clot forms around the plaque. This blood clot can block the blood flow through the heart muscle. When the heart muscle is starved for oxygen and nutrients, it is called ischemia. When damage or death of part of the heart muscle occurs as a result of ischemia, it is called a heart attack or myocardial infarction (MI). About every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a myocardial infarction (heart attack).

Risk Factors for CHD (Coronary Heart Disease);

*Excessive Weight, *Low levels of Physical Activity, *Poor Dietary Habits, *High Blood Pressure, *Excessive Stress, Cigarette Smoking, *Excessive Alcohol Consumption.

NOTE: Physical Inactivity is now identified as the joint ‘Third’ Leading Risk Factor for global mortality at 6% of deaths globally, alongside High Glucose levels at 6%, following ‘High Blood Pressure at 13%, and Smoking at 9% globally. (WHO 2010)

Worryingly according to the Survey of Lifestyle, Attitudes & Nutrition in Ireland (SLAN 2007), 45% of Irish Adults report being physically inactive. Of those who reported themselves as being inactive, 59% were not thinking about becoming active in the next 6 months.