The heart and heart disease
Your heart is a muscle and needs blood. But because the heart is the only muscle that supplies blood to itself, it has to stay in good physical condition, as do the two coronary arteries through which blood travels.
Healthy arteries let the blood flow freely. They expand to allow more blood through when you're active. When you walk up a flight of stairs, the heart beats faster to supply the additional oxygen your muscles need for the extra effort. When more oxygenated blood is needed and your heart can't supply enough blood to itself or elsewhere, there are two things that can happen: angina or heart attack.
What is angina?
Angina is chest pain; actually, it is heart pain. A feeling of apprehension or fear of death usually accompanies this pain. It is a warning and it feels like one. If you have angina, you should see a physician immediately.
What is a heart attack?
A heart attack occurs when your heart is deprived of oxygenated blood for too long. Part of the heart muscle becomes damaged and may begin to die if it is left too long. This can be fatal - but the good news is that more and more people are surviving heart attacks to lead long and productive lives.
What is a stroke?
Strokes occur when a part of your brain doesn't get enough blood. This may cause certain portions of the brain to die. Depending on which portions are affected, you may "forget" how to perform certain physical and mental functions, like writing, walking and speaking, or your facial muscles may become paralysed. Thanks to better procedures and techniques, however, stroke victims today have a much better chance than ever before of recovering to lead normal lives.
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