Medtronic Lawsuit Attorneys, Williams Kherkher

Factors Involved with Heart Failure

The recent death of television news caster Tim Russert has reminded Americans that cardiac arrest can strike anyone at any time. Even those of us who are in the best of shape can die suddenly from heart failure. While doctors haven’t been able to pinpoint exactly what causes heart failure, there are definitely certain things that make a person more likely to die prematurely from heart failure. Some of these things are out of our control, like genetic make-up passed down from our parents and grandparents; other things are completely within our control, like lifestyle and food choices.

Heart attacks usually take place suddenly, without warning. They claim over 310,000 American lives per year; that is more deaths than smoking and cancer combined. Doctors are now engaging in a detailed study that will encompass several different cities around the country in an attempt to identify the major factors that lead to sudden cardiac arrest.

There are a few that generally catch the eye of doctors as warning signs: age and gender, family history, history of smoking, diabetes, obesity and stress. In most cases, victims of cardiac arrest are in their mid- to late-50s or older. There is usually a family history of heart attack, in which other members of the extended family can account for the causes of death. Smoking, overeating, and diabetes just make the risk higher as they all have a significant impact on blood flow and circulation.

If you are someone you know has suffered from heart attacks and is current using an implantable defibrillator with Sprint Fidelis leads, you or that person may be at risk. For more information, call the Medtronic lawsuit attorneys of Williams Kherker at 866.950.9000.