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Heart Attack
A heart attack is a sudden block of a coronary artery that can cause death to the muscle, but the heart will continue to work. It is sometimes called a Coronary Attack or Myocardial Infarction.It occurs when the blood supply to the heart muscle is completely blocked by the formation of a blood clot in a narrowed coronary artery. The heart muscle supplied by the blocked artery cannot then get enough blood, and the heart muscle starts to die. It is important that a victim seeks medical help at an early stage so that the clot can be dissolved by the administration of clot busting drugs, and therefore limit the amount of muscle damage.

Risk Factors
Although genetics can be a factor in heart disease, most of the things that put us at risk are readily modifiable. For most of us, heart disease can be prevented by lifestyle changes involving diet and exercise.

Cholesterol
Some types of cholesterol are more important for women than men. In general a total cholesterol of 200 or less (HDL’s above 35 LDL’s below 160), and triglycerides of 200 or less are considered acceptable. As we age, it becomes harder to meet this goal because our HDL’s tend to fall and our LDL’s rise, particularly if we gain weight.

Hypertension
High blood pressure, like cholesterol, can also lead to heart attacks. The blood exerts greater stress against the vessel walls, increasing the chance of plaque rupture (one of the early steps in a heart attack), and aneurysm (weakened, ballooning blood vessels that lead to a stroke). High blood pressure is defined as a systolic pressure of 140 or higher, and a Diastolic pressure of 90 or higher.

Diabetes
There are two types of diabetes. The first occurs in childhood and is called insulin-dependent diabates. People with this form of diabetes take daily insulin injections to compensate. The more common form of the disease is called adult-onset, non-insulin dependent diabetes. In this case the body makes insulin but is unable to use it. It freqently affects people who are obese, who come from families with diabetes, or who have high blood pressure Uncontrolled diabetes of either type damages the bodies very small arteries. Diabetes doubles the risk of coronary heart disease. Diabetes with obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high triglycerides can increase the risk of heart disease by a factor of four times.

Obesity
You are obese if you are more than 20% over the target weight for your height. If you are over your target weight, you should seriously look at a diet and exercise programme to address the issue.


	You can help: Taking part in one of our fundraising events. Organising fundraising events on our behalf. Making a donation. Making a Bequest . Your support will enable us to continue to bring the best care possible to cardiacpatients and their families in Sussex
	*Heart Attack* A heart attack is a sudden block of a coronary artery that can cause death to the muscle, but the heart will continue to work. It is sometimes called a Coronary Attack or Myocardial Infarction.It occurs when the blood supply to the heart muscle is completely blocked by the formation of a blood clot in a narrowed coronary artery. The heart muscle supplied by the blocked artery cannot then get enough blood, and the heart muscle starts to die. It is important that a victim seeks medical help at an early stage so that the clot can be dissolved by the administration of clot busting drugs, and therefore limit the amount of muscle damage. *Risk Factors* Although genetics can be a factor in heart disease, most of the things that put us at risk are readily modifiable. For most of us, heart disease can be prevented by lifestyle changes involving diet and exercise. *Cholesterol* Some types of cholesterol are more important for women than men. In general a total cholesterol of 200 or less (HDL’s above 35 LDL’s below 160), and triglycerides of 200 or less are considered acceptable. As we age, it becomes harder to meet this goal because our HDL’s tend to fall and our LDL’s rise, particularly if we gain weight. *Hypertension* High blood pressure, like cholesterol, can also lead to heart attacks. The blood exerts greater stress against the vessel walls, increasing the chance of plaque rupture (one of the early steps in a heart attack), and aneurysm (weakened, ballooning blood vessels that lead to a stroke). High blood pressure is defined as a systolic pressure of 140 or higher, and a Diastolic pressure of 90 or higher. *Diabetes* There are two types of diabetes. The first occurs in childhood and is called insulin-dependent diabates. People with this form of diabetes take daily insulin injections to compensate. The more common form of the disease is called adult-onset, non-insulin dependent diabetes. In this case the body makes insulin but is unable to use it. It freqently affects people who are obese, who come from families with diabetes, or who have high blood pressure Uncontrolled diabetes of either type damages the bodies very small arteries. Diabetes doubles the risk of coronary heart disease. Diabetes with obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high triglycerides can increase the risk of heart disease by a factor of four times. *Obesity* You are obese if you are more than 20% over the target weight for your height. If you are over your target weight, you should seriously look at a diet and exercise programme to address the issue.
	The Sussex Heart Charity is a registered Charity No: 1120998 Registered as a Company limited by guarantee in England & Wales No: 6339790 - Bankers: Natwest Bank plc.