Many heart attacks that lead to death are preventable. This is because most of the risk factors that are listed above can also be prevented.

Most heart attacks occur in people who are over 45 years of age. Men are two to three times more likely to have a heart attack than women.

Over the last decade, death rates from heart attacks have fallen by around 40%. This may be related to an associated decrease in the number of people smoking cigarettes. However, the number of deaths is still higher than in many other western European countries. It is thought that this is because Ireland has higher rates of obesity, diabetes and physical inactivity (people not exercising enough) than in other countries.

Treatment options for a heart attack can involve using medication to dissolve any blood clots and surgery to widen the coronary artery.

Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a major cause of death both in Northern Ireland and worldwide. CHD is sometimes called ischaemic heart disease.

Angina

Angina is a syndrome (a collection of symptoms caused by an underlying health condition) that is caused when the supply of oxygen-rich blood to the heart becomes restricted.