“Containing” an Infarct: Preventing the Heart Attack in the First Place

Abstract

The number one health problem and killer of adults in the United States is the heart attack. Since the development of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) 30 years ago, hospitals have addressed this problem by setting up coronary care units. As a result, approximately 100,000 lives are saved each year, yet an estimated 600,000 people still die each year from heart attack before they reach the hospital. To break this barrier, it is increasingly important to teach, not only CPR throughout the community, but also the early warning signs. In Maryland, a resolution by the State Board of Education and a proclamation by the Governor have jointly designated the high schools as the focal point for teaching. Patients with chest pain must be taught to enter the system early while they still have undamaged myocardium and thus a better chance to respond to modern therapy.