HEART HEALTH

Do you know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and what to do if someone experiences these? Knowing can make the difference between life and death.

Recognizing and responding immediately to the warning signs of a potential heart attack can significantly improve survival and recovery. Please, take the time to be heart safe and learn how you can reduce your risk.

Know the signs of a heart attack

(Any or all of these signs & symptoms may occur)

©       Chest pain described as crushing, squeezing, pressure or chest heaviness;

©       Pain that moves beyond the chest such as shoulder, arm, neck or jaw pain;

©       Shortness of breath, sweating or nausea and vomiting.

Reduce your risk – Heart attack risk factors include:

©       Obesity

©       Sedentary lifestyle

©       Smoking

©       High cholesterol

©       Age / Gender

©       Family history

Speak with your doctor about how to treat your modifiable risk factors and learn to be heart safe.

What to do when seconds count

©       Call 9-1-1 immediately. Early treatment can greatly reduce heart damage and make the difference of life and death.

©       Treatment starts the moment EMS arrives. Paramedics can provide oxygen, start an intravenous and perform an electrocardiogram (ECG).

©       Paramedics can also administer important medications in the early minutes of a heart attack to lessen heart damage.

©       During transport, EMS will also share information with the hospital so definitive treatment can begin immediately on arrival.

©       Take a CPR/AED (automated external defibrillator) course. Training is widely available from many reputable organizations. Easy, inexpensive, and only takes a few hours.