Four hundred thousand of these victims die as a result. Many of the heart attack deaths are due to ventricular fibrillation of the heart that occurs before the victim can reach any medical assistance or the emergency room. These electrical disturbances of the heart can be treated with medications once the patient reaches the hospital. CPR involves breathing for the victim and applying external chest compression to make the heart pump. Therefore, prompt CPR and rapid paramedic response can improve the survival chances from a heart attack.
Cholesterol is a fatty chemical which is part of the outer lining of cells in the body.
Plaque accumulation can be accelerated by smoking, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and diabetes. Ultimately, atherosclerosis causes significant narrowing of the coronary arteries. During exercise or excitement, the narrowed coronary arteries cannot increase the blood supply to meet the increased oxygen demand of the heart muscle. Chest pain that occurs with exercise is called exertional angina. Exertional angina is reversible, and subsides with rest.