Typically, this subsides with rest. If the stress is relieved, the previous level of circulation to that area of heart is again adequate, and recovery takes place with no permanent loss of muscle in the heart. A severe sense of dread or impending doom is, understandably, reported by many patients. As the jeoporadized area of heart muscle finally dies, a heart attack or myocardial infarction is said to occur. The outcome of a heart attack depends on the location and size of the area of heart involved.
Many heart attacks are intermediate, and various degrees of complications are noted.
In these cases total or nearly total recovery is very common. This is where cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, saves lives. This technique is discussed further elsewhere in HealthNet. The primary risk factors have been discussed, and prevention is a matter of eliminating these when possible. Of confirmed value are smoking cessation, blood pressure control, and treatment of some severe metabolic problems such as diabetes and marked cholesterol elevation.