Surviving a heart attack
By the time you finish reading this article, nearly five people in the U.S. will have a heart attack, two of which will not survive.
When we think of a heart attack, we usually envision someone suddenly clutching their chest, and falling to the floor, overcome with intense pain. But recognizing a heart attack isn’t always that easy.
More often than not, heart attacks start with mild pain or discomfort, leading the person to believe their condition isn’t all that serious. As a result, heart attack sufferers sometimes wait too long before getting help.
When it comes to surviving a heart attack, time is of the essence. Know the symptoms of a heart attack to increase your odds of surviving with the best possible outcome. Symptoms may include:
· Chest discomfort: Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain.
· Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
· Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort.
Other symptoms may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness.
It’s also important to take steps to control factors that may put you at greater risk for developing heart disease and suffering a heart attack. Those risk factors include:
· High blood cholesterol
· High blood pressure
· Diabetes
· Tobacco use
· Secondhand smoke
· Alcohol use
· Unhealthy weight
· Lack of regular physical activity
· Poor diet
· Unmanaged stress and anger
Knowing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and calling 9-1-1 right away are crucial to the most positive outcome after having a heart attack.
For more information, talk with your doctor or visit the American Heart Association’s website at www.heart.org. There you’ll find a variety of tools to improve your heart and overall health. Topics include smoking cessation, weight and stress management, heart-healthy healthy recipes, tips for shopping and dining out, and much more.