Heart Attack

Madison Avenue Cardiovascular

Mark L. Meyer, MD, FACP, FACC

Board Certified Physician located in Midtown Manhattan, New York, NY

More than 800,000 Americans have a heart attack annually — and three-quarters of those are first heart attacks. At Madison Avenue Cardiovascular in Midtown, Manhattan, board-certified cardiologist Mark Meyer, MD, FACP, FACC, offers the best in heart attack diagnosis, management, and prevention. Reach out for help by calling the office in New York City or clicking the online scheduler now.

914-786-6924

Heart Attack Q & A

What is a heart attack?

A heart attack is a medical crisis that occurs when a blockage prevents your heart from getting blood. In most cases, this blockage occurs because of plaque, a thick substance made of cholesterol, fat, calcium, and waste products.

Plaque narrows your arteries and can eventually block them completely. Plaque can also break off, leading to a blood clot that then blocks blood flow and causes a heart attack.

What are the symptoms of a heart attack?

The most common symptoms of a heart attack include:

Chest pain or discomfort
Jaw, neck, or back pain
Radiating pain that shoots down your left arm
Chest constriction
Chest pressure
Shortness of breath
Dizziness
Fainting
Overwhelming exhaustion
Cold sweat

Symptoms can vary from one person to another; you may have very mild symptoms, or they could be quite severe and sudden.

If you notice any of these warning signs, take them seriously. Fast response to a heart attack could save your life.

Am I at risk for a heart attack?

A large body of evidence suggests that certain risk factors increase your chance of suffering a heart attack. The three biggest risk factors include hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, and smoking. Around 50% of Americans have one or more of these risk factors today.

Other common risk factors include obesity, diabetes, poor eating habits, and a sedentary lifestyle. Most heart attack risk factors are controllable, but the factors you can't control include a family history of heart attacks and older age (men 45 and up and women age 55 and up).

How can I prevent heart attacks?

The best way to start is an appointment at Madison Avenue Cardiovascular. Dr. Meyer can perform a full health assessment, including heart health tests like echocardiogram or exercise stress testing.

He can recommend changes to significantly decrease your risk of heart attacks, such as losing weight, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and improving your diet.

If you've had a heart attack in the past, or if you suffer from an underlying condition like hypertension, you may need to take medication to manage your risk. Dr. Meyer is a heart attack specialist with extensive experience in diagnosis, treatment, and preventive strategies that can help you stay healthy.

For heart attack prevention and treatment, book your appointment at Madison Avenue Cardiovascular by phone or through the online scheduler now.