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More than 800,000 people in the United States have a heart attack each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most events aren’t fatal, and the chance of survival increases—and the risk of complications decreases—if you get to a hospital as soon as possible.
If you think you’re having a heart attack, always call 911 first. Then, it’s important to take certain steps in the first minutes, hours, and days following the attack. They can help you survive and recover, says Kristofer Hillegas, DO, a cardiologist in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Preventi... + 22
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