A heart attack is the death and destruction of a part of the heart muscle caused when the blood vessel that supplies the heart tissues with blood is blocked or closed. It is the major cause of death in the United States. It is important to act quickly whenever the possibility of a heart attack occurs.

A heart attack victim may feel pain or heavy pressure in the center of the chest. The pain may extend to the jaw, left shoulder, and left arm. The person may feel a burning in the chest similar to a feeling of indigestion. There may be sweating, nausea, vomiting, unnatural paleness, shortness of breath, or difficulty in breathing. The victim may even deny that there is anything wrong.

Follow these steps:

1. Place victim in a partly reclining or sitting position.
2. Do not wait to see if the pain goes away. Call for emergency medical help immediately.
3. Loosen tight clothing at the neck, chest, and waist.
4. Keep the person calm and comfortable, warm but not hot.
5. Do not allow the victim to move around.
6. Do not give stimulants.
7. If the victim is not breathing, give rescue breathing.
8. If the person suddenly collapses and loses consciousness, try to awaken him. If the person cannot be awakened and if there is no breathing or pulse in the neck, begin CPR.

Lower the risk of heart attack by not smoking and by not being overweight. It is also important to control high blood pressure, exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, control diabetes, and avoid stress.