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.