The president of the American Heart Association, Dr. John Warner, had a minor heart attack recently during a scientific conference held in California. Warner, was stented immediately.

Both his father and his fathers father had heart bypass surgery while in their 60s. He also lost his maternal grandfather and a great grandfather to heart disease.

Being a doctor does not mean you are immune from heart attack. Infact doctors may be more at risk due to stress.

Warning signs of a heart attack include chest discomfort, upper body pain, shortness of breath. Most people experience an unusual feeling that begins at the center of the chest and radiates out. The discomfort, which can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain, can last for more than a few minutes or go away and come back. Sometimes people have discomfort or pain in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

Women, just like men, commonly experience chest pain or discomfort when a heart attack strikes and are more likely than men to suffer other symptoms, such as shortness of breath.

Strong family history should never be ignored.