Heart Attacks
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death for both men and
women in the United States. CHD is caused by a narrowing of the coronary
arteries that supply blood to the heart, and often results in a heart attack.
Each year, about 1.1 million Americans suffer a heart attack. About 460,000
of those heart attacks are fatal. About half of those deaths occur within 1
hour of the start of symptoms and before the person reaches the hospital.
Fortunately, everyone can take steps to protect their heart–and their
life or that of someone else. The key is seeking medical care as soon as
possible.
This Web page tells you about heart attack and the steps you can take to
increase your chances of survival. You’ll learn why a fast response to the
signs of a heart attack is crucial to save lives and limit heart damage.
In This Section:
For additional information, please see the following topics in the NHLBI Diseases and Conditions Index:
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