Medical-Fitness Technician
Certification Course
Part B: Exercise & Patho-Physiology (LM:11-24)
Learning Module 15:
Exercise & Heart Attacks
Study the Learning Module with the Video and take the Quiz.
Learning Objectives 
  • Know how a heart attack happens.
  • Know what atherosclerosis is and what arteries are often involved.
  • Know the risk factors and prevalence of heart attacks.
  • Understand the relationship between exercise and heart attacks.
Definition: A heart attack (aka: myocardial infarction) happens when an area of the heart muscle does not get enough oxygen because blood flow to the heart muscle is blocked.
  • Atherosclerosis is a disease process where fatty (cholesterol) plaques gradually build up on the arterial wall.
  • When a plaque breaks (ruptures), a blood clot quickly forms.
  • A blood clot in the coronary (heart) arteries causes a heart attack.
  • When the blood and oxygen supply is cut off the myocardium (heart-muscle) is damaged and begins to die.
  • Irreversible damage begins within 30 minutes of blockage.
  • The dead area scars and is unable to help the heart pump blood to the brain and body.​
Atherosclerosis: Hardening and narrowing of arteries caused by plaque build-up that restricts blood flow.
  • Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is plaque buildup in the arteries to the heart.
  • Carotid Artery Stenosis is plaque buildup in the main arteries of the neck that supply the brain.
  • Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) usually involves plaque buildup in the arteries of the legs and can lead to amputation.
  • Renal Artery Stenosis is plaque buildup in the arteries that supply the kidneys and can cause renal (kidney) failure.
Risk Factors for Heart Attacks: There are many acquired (lifestyle, modifiable) risk factors for heart disease:
  • High fat/cholesterol diet (animal products)
  • Lack of Exercise
  • Smoking
  • Obesity
  • Excessive Stress
  • Alcohol
  • High Blood Pressure (hypertension)
  • High LDL Cholesterol and/or High Triglycerides, and/or Low HDL Cholesterol
  • Type 2 Diabetes

Prevalence of Heart Attacks in the United States: 
  • Someone in the U.S. has a heart attack every 40 seconds.
  • Every year, 805,000 people in the U.S. have a heart attack.
  • 75% of heart attacks are first heart attacks.
  • The average age for a first heart attack for men is 65 years old.
  • The average age for a first heart attack for women is 70 years old.
  • 20% of those who die from heart disease are under the age of 65.
  • 12% of first heart attacks are fatal.
  • 90% of cardiovascular diseases are preventable with therapeutic lifestyle change​.
Relationship between Exercise & Heart Attack
Conclusion: The more you exercise, the lower your risk is for having a heart attack. Exercise prevents heart attacks.