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Response to the recent article, “This Is What a Heart Attack Feels Like,” has been overwhelming. More than half a million people have viewed the story, which recounts the real-life experiences of five heart attack survivors, since it was published online Dec. 12. And 100-plus of those readers have taken the time to comment on the story, with many sharing personal accounts of their own heart attacks.
The strong reactions perhaps shouldn't come as a surprise, considering the widespread impact of cardiovascular disease in the U.S. Every 40 seconds an American suffers a heart attack, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). The average age of a first heart attack for men is 65.6 years old; for women, 72.
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Here we highlight five heart attack stories that were recently posted in the comments section of the original article. Each post is presented in its entirety, unedited and in the words of the survivor, who is identified by his or her online screen name.
Want to share your own heart attack story? Join the discussion by posting your experience in your own words in the comments section below, in the comments section of the original “This Is What a Heart Attack Feels Like” story, or on Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #HeartAttackStories.
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