It may no longer be National Heart Health Month (which takes place every February) but it’s still critical to learn about heart health and your own heart attack risks. Every year, over 800,000 Americans have a heart attack, and for the majority of them, it’s a first heart attack, meaning they likely have no prior personal experience with what it feels like to be in the midst of the event. For men, the average age of a first heart attack is 65.6 while in women the average age is slightly older, at 72 years old. About 20% of those over age 45 who have had a heart attack will experience a second one within 5 years of their first. While cardiac rehab cuts the risk of a second heart attack by close to 50% within 8 years of the first heart attack, older adults are often not offered cardiac rehab (though there is data to show they would greatly benefit). For more of a general understanding of what a heart attack is, read here.

The risk of having a heart attack, even at a young age, should not be downplayed or ignored. A recent study out of Denmark found that pre-symptomatic evidence of heart disease and coronary atherosclerosis can develop at an early age without you being aware of the dangers. In fact, in this study of over 9,000 adults over 40, nearly ½ had signs of disease without experiencing symptoms. Since obstructive coronary atherosclerosis is associated with an 8-fold elevated risk for a heart attack, this study underscores how many people may not be aware of the serious risk of heart attack they face. Being on the younger end of your later years does not mean you aren’t at risk.

Early warning signs that you may be experiencing a heart attack? Early signs may include chest pain or angina (which may be due to the gradual buildup of plaque in your arteries which then restricts blood flow); neck, shoulder, or jaw pain (could be radiating pain or numbness); becoming easily winded or uncomfortable after physical exertion; and nausea or other stomach problems. Older adults may also/instead experience shortness of breath, fainting, or sudden confusion. All of these symptoms may worsen or become more severe the closer you are to an actual heart attack. Bottom line? If you experience any of these symptoms you need to seek help immediately, as time is of the essence once you have a heart attack in order to avoid serious, permanent, or even deadly consequences. For the story of one heart attack victim who ignored the early warning signs and learned her lesson the hard way, open up your collar and click here.

Heart disease remains the #1 cause of death among men and women in the United States. So, what determines whether you survive a heart attack? That of course depends on many factors, including which arteries are blocked, how close to a hospital you are, your age, your underlying health, etc. There is data to show that for heart attack victims who can quickly get to a hospital, survival rates can be between 90-97%. To a great extent, survival and subsequent complications depend on how much heart muscle dies as a result of blood flow being blocked by a clogged artery. Heart muscle cannot regenerate so the quicker an artery can be reopened the better your chances of survival and a good recovery. It’s been said that if the artery can be surgically opened and treated within 3-4 hours of the heart attack, you can largely avoid permanent heart muscle damage. So regardless of what you think your risk is, and no matter how inconvenient it seems to seek out urgent medical care, if you have an inkling that you may be experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack you must get yourself to an emergency room ASAP.