Heart Attack?
Article #1
Knowing The Warning Signs Can Be A Lifesaver
It happens every 30 seconds somewhere in America. A man is going about the ordinary business of the day – eating breakfast or running errands. Everything is fine until he starts to experience pain and pressure in the center of his chest. He thinks it’s probably just heartburn, but the pain persists. Soon he’s having trouble breathing and feels nauseated. He’s having a heart attack!
The next 60 minutes are critical. More than 80 percent of heart attacks that could be fatal can be reversed if action is taken during the first hour. But you can’t take action if you don’t know you’re having a heart attack. Unfortunately, a recent survey found that only 13 percent of people know the warning signs. With February designated as American Heart Month, now is the time to make sure you know how to spot a heart attack.
The Warning Signs of a Heart Attack* Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest. People describe the sensation as an uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. The discomfort lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and returns again. However, one in three people who have a heart attack do not experience chest pain.
Discomfort In Other Areas of the Body can include pain in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. Shortness of Breath can occur with or without chest discomfort. Other Symptoms include a cold sweat, nausea and lightheadedness.
In many cases, the symptoms of a heart attack can be vague and mild. This is especially true for women, who are more likely than men to have silent heart attacks (no symptoms) or have symptoms that make it difficult to determine a correct diagnosis. Even if the symptoms are not mild, having a heart attack is still a life-threatening situation, just as dangerous as a heart attack with sudden and severe chest pain, the kind often portrayed in movies and television.
Take Action Now!
If you think you or someone else is having a heart attack, the first step is to call 9-1-1 immediately. You should wait no longer than five minutes after experiencing the symptoms to call. Time is life. The faster you call, the greater your chance for recovery. If you are able to obtain medical help in three to four hours, the damage to the heart is usually not serious. But if you wait more than 12 hours, the heart damage is almost always irreversible.
Having a heart attack also greatly increases the risk for cardiac arrest, when the heart stops beating. The chances of surviving cardiac arrest are much greater if medical care is available. The key is to seek medical help as soon as possible, and you can only do that if you take action now and make sure you know the warning signs of a heart attack. It could save your life.
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