SERIOUS AS A HEART ATTACK

The recent death of actor James Gandolfini thrust the perils of heart disease back into the spotlight. The 51-year-old actor, who was best known for his role as Tony Soprano on HBO’s hit show The Sopranos, died suddenly of a heart attack. Heart attacks are a leading killer of both men and women in the United States, with more than 1 million Americans suffering heart attacks each year.

Photo from hbo.com

What happens during a heart attack?

A heart attack occurs when your heart does not get the constant supply of oxygen-rich blood it needs due to buildup of plaques in the arteries. The heart muscle becomes “starved” for oxygen, and the heart’s …