Heart disease is a leading killer around the world and the top cause of death in the United States. It killed an estimated . million people in representing of all deaths globally according to the World Health Organization. Cardiovascular diseases can require longterm treatment or they can come on suddenly and seriously. In cardiac arrest death can result quickly if steps arent taken right away. Cardiac arrest may be reversed if CPR is performed and a defibrillator shocks the heart and restores a normal heart rhythm within a few minutes. Unlike cardiac arrest a heart attack is a circulation problem. When circulation is blocked or cut off in some way and blood is no longer supplied to the heart muscle this can damage that muscle. People who are at risk for heart attacks are people who have a family history of heart attack having high cholesterol high blood pressure diabetes lack of exercise cigarette smoking the major risk factors we always discuss Dr. Nieca Goldberg medical director of Atria New York City and clinical associate professor of medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine previously told . The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has recommended that taking a lowdose asprin daily can help prevent both heart disease and colorectal cancer in adults ages to . Photo Illustration by JoeedleGetty Images Task forces updated guidelines do not recommend daily aspirin for most adults for most heart attack caused by a spasm by tobacco or possibly illicit drugs. A less frequent cause is a tear in the muscle which can also result in the death of the heart. Common warning signs of a chest attack are chest discomfort or the pain in the chest. An ambulance is equipped to offer the treatment on the way to the hospital instead of catching a ride with a family member or friend. If you think someone is having an heart attack call 9-1-1 immediately. Immediate emergency medical help can often prevent a serious outcome. The American Heart Association says its the leading cause of deaths in youth baseball in the U States typically two to three per year. Automated externaldefibrillators have helped increase the survival rate. Its rare but it mostly happens in boys and young men during sports. A blow to the area directly over the heart at a key time during a heartbeat cycle can lead to cardiac arrest commotio cordis is a disruption of heart rhythm after a blow to a heart muscle. A blood clot can completely block the flow of blood through an artery. A heart attack can be fatal but do not automatically lead to death but can be a rare result in a heartattack though the rare result can also lead to the death in a chest pain. A tear in an artery can also be a result of the rare condition called a myocardial infarction which can cause the heart to beat erratically. A stroke can also cause a blood clot to form which can then rupture causing a blood clots to form. A person who has been diagnosed with heart disease is at risk of developing a stroke which is a rare but serious condition.