hearthealth.jpg

Your Heart Health

This special sponsored feature is provided by Bristol Myers Squibb

How A Small Blood Clot Can be the Leading Cause of Most Heart Attacks and Strokes
Understanding a Heart Attack
Understanding Stent Procedure and Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery
Understanding a Stroke
Understanding Peripheral Arterial Disease
You’ve Already Had a Heart Attack or Stroke – You Don’t Want Another One!


How a Small Blood Clot Can Be the Leading Cause of Most Heart Attacks and Strokes1,2

Blood clots in the arteries of your heart, head, neck or even legs can lead to a heart attack or stroke.3,4

healthy artery.jpg
1. Healthy artery.

plaque builds up in the artery.jpg
2. Plaque builds up in the arteries.

plaque ruptures and clot forms.jpg
3. Plaque ruptures and clot forms.

the clot blocks the artery.jpg
4. The clot blocks an artery: "atherothrombosis".

Reduce your risk
Fortunately, you can reduce your risk of developing Blood clots and having another life-threatening event. Your physician will suggest ways to help you stay healthy.

References:
1. Vorchheimer DA, Becker R. Platelets in atherothrombosis. Mayo Clin Proc 2006;81:59–68.
2. Bhatt DL, Steg PG, et al. International prevalence, recognition, and treatment of cardiovascular risk factors in outpatients with atherothrombosis. JAMA 2006;295(2):180–9.
3. Hankey GJ. Current oral antiplatelet agents to prevent atherothrombosis, Cerebrovasc Dis 2001;11(Suppl 2):11–7.
4. Drouet L. Atherothrombosis as a systemic disease. Cerebrovasc Dis 2002;13 (Suppl 1):1–6.

Back to top


understanding a heart attack.jpg
Understanding a Heart Attack5,6

What is a heart attack?
A heart attack, or myocardial infarction (MI), is the occurrence of cell death in an area of the heart muscle.5

What causes a heart attack?
A heart attack is primarily caused by atherothrombosis – a blood clot in a vital artery that suddenly deprives the heart muscle of oxygen.5,6

What is unstable angina (UA)?
Unstable angina (UA) occurs when the heart muscle Is momentarily deprived of oxygen. UA is often caused when a blood clot significantly reduces blood flow in the coronary arteries that provide blood to the heart muscle. UA may develop into a heart attack, or it may resolve with treatment or on its own.5,6

Heart attack and unstable angina risk factors7,8,9
You are more likely to develop a heart attack if you:
  • have already had a stroke or peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
  • are male and over 55
  • are female and postmenopausal
  • have a family history of heart attack or stroke
  • smoke
  • have diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure
  • are obese
Your doctor can tell you how to reduce your risk of having another heart attack or stroke.

References:
5. Beers MH, ed. The Merck Manual of Medical Information. 2nd home ed.Whitehouse Station,NJ: Merck & Co. Inc., 2003.
6. Kasper DL, et al, eds. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. 16th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2005.
7. Hankey GJ, et al. Five-year survival after first-ever stroke and related prognostic factors in the Perth Community Stroke Study. Stroke 2000;31(9):2080–6.
8. Dormandy JA, Rutherford RB, for the TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC) Working Group. Management of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). J Vasc Surg 2000;31(1 Pt 2):S1–S296.
9. Heart and Stroke Foundation. Risk factors. Online at www.heartandstroke.ca. Last accessed November 2006.

Back to top


understanding stent proceedure.jpg
Understanding Stent Procedure and Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery10,11

Why do you need this procedure?
If the blockage or atherothrombosis in your heart arteries is so severe, a Procedure is needed to restore the vital blood supply to your heart muscle. Two of the most common procedures are stent placement or bypass graft surgery.

A stent is a small wire mesh device inserted directly into the blocked artery. It exerts outward force, keeping the artery open so blood can flow more freely.

How is the procedure performed?
The doctor inserts a balloon-tipped catheter and guidewire in your arm or groin area. The guidewire and catheter are extended to the point of blockage in your heart. The balloon is inflated to open the narrowed artery. Then a stent is placed exactly where the blood flow is blocked. The guidewire is removed and the stent remains.    

what is coronary artery bypass graft.jpg
What is coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery?11
Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is anotheroption. CABG may Be performed when the blockage is more extensive and an entire area is lacking blood supply. The grafted artery (usually taken from an artery near the Sternum or a vein in the leg) is used to join an artery with good flow to an area that needs blood flow. As the name suggests, the blockage is "bypassed" and a new route is created.

References:
10. Kasper DL, et al, eds. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. 16th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2005.
11. Hankey GJ, et al. Five-year survival after first-ever stroke and related prognostic factors in the Perth Community Stroke Study. Stroke 2000;31(9):2080–6.

Back to top


understanding a stroke.jpg
Understanding a Stroke

What is a stroke?
A stroke is brain damage caused by a lack of blood flow to the brain

What causes a stroke?
Many strokes are caused by the same kind of blood clot that causes a heart attack, a process known as atherothrombosis. The blood clot forms in an artery that feeds the brain with blood and oxygen, thereby causing a stroke.1

Stroke risk factors.
Just one risk factor can increase your risk of having a stroke. Having several risk factors increases your risk of stroke even more.
You are at risk for having a stroke if you:9
  • have already had a heart attack or peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
  • have diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure
  • smoke
  • are overweight
  • have an unhealthy diet
  • don’t exercise
  • are stressed
However, there are ways to reduce your risk of having a stroke. Your doctor can tell you how.

References:
1. Vorchheimer DA, Becker R. Platelets in atherothrombosis. Mayo Clin Proc 2006;81:59–68.
9. Heart and Stroke Foundation. Risk factors. Online at www.heartandstroke.ca. Last accessed November 2006.

Back to top


Understanding Peripheral Arterial Disease

what is peripheral arterial disease.jpg
What is peripheral arterial disease?
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a result of reduced blood flow to the legs due to atherothrombosis. This often causes pain or cramping in your leg muscles while walking, known as claudication. PAD can be a warning sign of a heart attack or stroke.12

Risk factors for atherothrombosis:
  • Smoking
  • Diabetes
  • Prior stroke or heart attack
  • High blood pressure or high cholesterol
  • Unhealthy diet
  • Not exercising
  • Stress
  • Being overweight
  • Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
If you have peripheral arterial disease, your doctor can advise you on ways to reduce your risk of a heart attack or stroke.

References:
12. Abramson BL, et al.Canadian Cardiovascular Society Consensus Conference: peripheral arterial disease. Can J Cardiol 2005;21(12):997–1006.

Back to top


you've already had a heart attack or stroke and don't want another one.jpg
You’ve Already Had a Heart Attack or Stroke – You Don’t Want Another One!

What can you do?
Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce your risk of another blood clot in your heart or brain that could lead to another heart attack or stroke. There are changes you can make to your lifestyle that will help you to stay well:13,14
  • Consume a healthy diet.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Manage your stress.
  • Keep your cholesterol and blood pressure under control.
  • Keep your blood sugar levels under control through regular monitoring if you have diabetes.
  • Limit your alcohol intake
  • Stop smoking   
What about medications?
Medications may be prescribed that can reduce your risk of having another heart attack or stroke. It is important to always take your medicines – and take them exactly as prescribed. They can help protect you from another life-threatening event. Any side effects should be reported to your doctor.
  • Antiplatelet medications – help to prevent blood clots that cause heart attack and stroke
  • Blood pressure medications – help to lower blood pressure
  • Lipid-lowering drugs – help to lower your cholesterol
  • Nitrates – help your arteries to dilate very quickly, allowing for better blood flow
References:
13. Braunwald E, et al.ACC/AHA 2002 Guideline Update for the management of patients with unstable angina and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines.American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association,March 2002. Online at: www.acc.org/clinical/guidelines/unstable/incorporated/index.htm. Last accessed August 2006.
14. Smith S, et al. AHA/ACC Guidelines for secondary prevention for patients with coronary and other vascular disease: 2006 Update. Circulation 2006;113:2363–72.

Back to top