Heart Attack Warning Signs

     Some heart attacks are sudden and intense — the "movie heart attack," where no one doubts what's happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort.

     Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:

• 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.   Sometimes this sharp pain appears in the Back
  
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.   
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.  
• Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness , or night sweating around your neck and chest. 
  

     Every Symptom is Serious!  Don't ignore these signs and clues...call your Doctor or Emergency Room immediately, or better yet...DIAL 911...whether or not symptoms are intense...911 can save your life.

     As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

     Learn the signs, but remember this: Even if you're not sure it's a heart attack, have it checked out. Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives — maybe your own. Don’t wait more than five minutes to call 911.  If you delay response to a heart attack, you can surely die...it only takes 3 minutes and very few heart attack victims are resuscitated...it is definitely not like TV!

     Calling 911 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment from Paramedics and Fire Departments.  Emergency medical services staff can begin immediate treatment on arrival.  Forget the emergency and ambulance expense.  Save your life, don't be in denial!  911 help is mintues away!

    Or, have someone drive you to the hospital right away. If you're the one having symptoms, don't drive yourself, unless you have absolutely no other option.  Be sure to have a cellphone with you.

Heart Disease is Epidemic in Men and Women!

     One in eight women aged 45 and over has had a heart attack or stroke. More than 20,000 women under age 65 die each year of heart attack; over 30 percent of them are under age 55. Among black women the situation is worse than among white women: The 1992 age-adjusted death rate for coronary heart disease is 33 percent higher for black women than for white women.  From ages 35 to 74, the death rate from heart attack among black women is 1.4 times that of white women. After age 85, death rates for white women are highest.

     Please reconsider your health status...and focus on heart healthy living.  And check out these links.

Heart Attacks Heart Attack Warning Signs Surviving a Heart Attack Testing for a Heart Attack Reducing Heart Attack Risk Heart Disease and Medications Frequently Asked Questions