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Heart Disease: How Medical Alert Systems Can Help

Heart disease is a very common problem as we age, with someone dying from heart disease every 46 seconds, and more than 42 million American adults over 60 suffering from cardiovascular disease. 

As we age, we become more vulnerable to heart problems, which can include heart attack, stroke, heart disease, or heart failure. This can be due to natural changes in the heart and blood vessels, and also to factors such as family history of heart disease, smoking, and eating and drinking habits. 

As we age, several factors can lead to heart problems such as:

• Stroke
• Arrhythmia
• Heart failure
• Salt sensitivity
• Buildup of plaque in the walls of the arteries

Signs of a heart attack

• Pain or pressure in the chest that lasts longer than a few minutes 
• Pain or discomfort in the back, neck, jaw, shoulders, or arms
• Tingling or numbing in left arm and shoulder
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Lightheadedness
• Nausea
• Sudden fatigue
• Impending sense of doom or a panic attack-like feeling

Signs of a heart attack may differ

Signs of a heart attack can vary from person to person and between men and women. For example, women are more likely to experience pain in their jaw or a feeling of heartburn during a heart attack, while men are more likely to experience pain in their left arm. Women may also not experience chest pain at all. If you experience any of the following signs of a heart attack, seek medical attention immediately.

Signs of a heart attack can begin weeks before and go unnoticed. If you experience recurring chest pain, more than normal fluid retention, or fatigue, watch for these signs. 

Risks that can lead to heart attack

The main ways to stave off heart problems caused by blockages in the heart are to lead a healthy lifestyle, eat a balanced diet of whole foods, and to reduce your stress.

Here are the factors that can increase your risk of heart attack:

• Smoking or secondhand smoke exposure
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Leading a sedentary lifestyle
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Stress
• Alcohol
• Having a family history of heart attacks and heart disease

What you can do

Especially if you or your loved one has heart disease, it is essential to have a medical alert system in place. If a loved one should suffer a heart attack when no one is around, a medical alert system with fall detection will be able to immediately contact help. In the case of a heart attack, your loved one will need immediate medical attention and an ambulance. 

In systems without fall detection, your loved one will be able to press the button on their wristband or necklace, or a button placed on the wall. 

When you set up your medical alert system, you will devise a plan with your provider of the people to call and the steps to take in order to keep you safe and healthy. Putting a plan in place will put your mind at ease and allow you to make important decisions for the future. 

When a heart attack occurs, it’s important to get help as quickly as possible in order to restore blood flow to the heart. Proper medications will be given, and in some cases surgery may be necessary. 

Joan Biddle

Joan Biddle is a Content Developer at Med-Alert Pros. With nearly 20 years of editing, research and writing experience, Joan crafts detailed, reliable articles that help people navigate complicated topics. She enjoys movies, reading, poetry and art.