WHEN TIME IS MUSCLE: RECOVERING FROM A HEART ATTACK HEART ATTACKS CAN BE LIFE-CHANGING, BUT WITH THE HELP OF CARDIOLOGISTS AND REHABILITATION THERAPISTS, POSITIVE CHANGE IS POSSIBLE A bout every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a myocardial infarction, better known as a heart attack. Many of these individuals may not have any symptoms until the moment they experience the heart attack. Heart attacks occur as a result of a slow process known as athero- sclerosis. This occurs when there is a buildup of fat, cholesterol and other substances that can slowly narrow the coronary arteries that supply the heart with blood and oxygen. This plaque can break off and cause a blood clot, which can block blood flow to the heart. When the heart muscle is starved of oxygen and nutrients from lack of blood flow, it is called ischemia. When an ischemia causes part of the heart muscle to 6 MARYLAND'S HEALTH MATTERS