Early Warning Signs for a Heart Attack

 

WELLNESS WEDNESDAY

April 25, 2012

The average heart attack sufferer gets to the hospital almost five hours after the onset of symptoms. This delay significantly increases their chances of dying. That's why it's so important to know the early warning signs of a heart attack and what to do if you experience them. Being educated could save your life. A few years ago I had submitted an article on a similar wellness tip on heat attack warning signs for women.  I will never forget what happened...a lady contacted me to say that I saved her life!!  I asked her how that was possible.  She informed me that she read my article and realized she had several of the warning signs. She called her physician the very next day and found out she was in need of an Angioplasty (stent) procedure. She said she would not have gone to her primary care physician based on her little aches and pain!  So, lesson to be learned here; KNOW the common warning signs for a health attack!
Common Early Warning Signs:

 

• Chest pressure, tightness, and heaviness
• Pain in shoulders, neck, jaw, or arms
• Lightheadedness
• Fainting
• Paleness
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath with or without chest pain

According to Nieca Goldberg, M.D., medical director for the Joan H. Tisch Center for Women's Health, men and women can experience chest pressure that feels like an elephant sitting across the chest, but some women can experience a heart attack without chest pressure. Dr. Goldberg states that even when the signs are subtle, the consequences can be deadly, especially if the victim doesn’t get help right away.

So Take Action and Take Care of Yourself
Heart disease is preventable. Here are Goldberg’s top tips:

• Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to learn your personal risk for heart disease. You can also learn your risk with our Heart Attack Risk Calculator.
• Quit smoking. Did you know that just one year after you quit, you’ll cut your risk of coronary heart disease by 50 percent?
• Start an exercise program. Just walking 30 minutes a day can lower your risk for heart attack and stroke.
• Modify your family’s diet if needed. Check out these healthy cooking tips. You’ll learn smart substitutions, healthy snacking ideas and better prep methods. For example, with poultry, use the leaner light meat (breasts) instead of the fattier dark meat (legs and thighs), and be sure to remove the skin.

Nancy Larson, CWCCCertified Wellness Culture Coach, Environmental Health Specialist

765-287-3020 my.healthiswealth@comcast.ne  http://dcwellnesswednesday.blogspot.com/