Depression Can be Hazardous to Heart Health; But Treatment Can Help
... For centuries, writers have waxed poetic about the damage sadness and despair can cause to the heart. Today, scientists have proven them correct in a way. Studies performed over the past decade have s...

Signs and symptoms
... Heart attacks have many variable signs and symptoms. Not all people who have heart attacks experience the same ones or experience them to the same degree. Many heart attacks aren''t as dramatic as the...

Causes
... The medical term for a heart attack is myocardial infarction. Myo refers to "muscle;" cardio refers to "heart;" infarct refers to "death of tissue from lack of oxygen." Like any muscle, the heart need...

Risk factors
... Certain factors, called coronary risk factors, increase your risk of a heart attack. These factors contribute to the unwanted buildup of deposits (atherosclerosis) that narrows arteries throughout you...

When to seek medical advice
... During a heart attack, many people waste precious minutes because they don''t recognize the important signs and symptoms — or they deny them. Many people also delay calling for help because they...

Screening and diagnosis
... Ideally, your doctor should screen you during regular physical exams for risk factors that can lead to a heart attack. If you''re having a heart attack or suspect you''re having one, screening and dia...