Symptoms of heart attack • Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, pain or a burning sensation in the centre of the chest lasting for more than few minutes. • Mild or severe pain located in the front, middle or left part of the chest, upper part of the abdomen, neck, jaw, arms or shoulders. • Pain in the left shoulder, left arm, neck, jaw or upper back. • Chest discomfort attended by light-headedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or breathlessness. • Increased or irregular heart beat. Box on page no. 20 Controlling risk factors of Atherosclerosis • Quit smoking. Smoking increases the risk of cardiac death by 20-30 per cent. Even after quitting, it takes two years for this risk to be nullified. • Maintain normal cholesterol level in the blood by following dietary advice and taking medicines, if prescribed. Effective reduction of cholesterol decreases the risk of heart attacks and cardiac death by about one-third. • Maintain blood pressure at normal levels. Untreated hypertension increases the risk of heart attack by two to three times. • Maintain blood sugar at normal levels. Diabetes increases the risk of cardiac death by two to three times. • Make your lifestyle 'heart friendly'. Shed extra flab and exercise regularly, as it decreases the risk by 25 per cent.