HEART ATTACK

Act in Time

The American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute have launched a new "Act in Time" campaign to increase people's awareness of heart attack and the importance of calling 9-1-1 immediately at the onset of heart attack symptoms. Find the links here .

Dial 9-1-1 Fast
Heart attack and stroke are life-and-death emergencies - every second counts. If you see or have any of the listed symptoms, immediately call 9-1-1. Not all these signs occur in every heart attack or stroke. Sometimes they go away and return. If some occur, get help fast! Today heart attack and stroke victims can benefit from new medications and treatments unavailable to patients in years past. For example, clot-busting drugs can stop some heart attacks and strokes in progress, reducing disability and saving lives. But to be effective, these drugs must be given relatively quickly after heart attack or stroke symptoms first appear. So again, don't delay - get help right away!

Statistics
Coronary heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States. Stroke is the No. 3 cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of serious disability. That's why it's so important to reduce your risk factors, know the warning signs, and know how to respond quickly and properly if warning signs occur.

Information from: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3053

What Is a Heart Attack?

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to a section of heart muscle becomes blocked. If the flow of blood isn't restored quickly, the section of heart muscle becomes damaged from lack of oxygen and begins to die.

Heart attack is a leading killer of both men and women in the United States. But fortunately, today there are excellent treatments for heart attack that can save lives and prevent disabilities. Treatment is most effective when started within 1 hour of the beginning of symptoms. If you think you or someone you're with is having a heart attack, call 9-1-1 right away.

Information from: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/HeartAttack/HeartAttack_WhatIs.html

What is a stroke?

A stroke or "brain attack" occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery (a blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the body) or a blood vessel (a tube through which the blood moves through the body) breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain. When either of these things happen, brain cells begin to die and brain damage occurs.

When brain cells die during a stroke, abilities controlled by that area of the brain are lost. These abilities include speech, movement and memory. How a stroke patient is affected depends on where the stroke occurs in the brain and how much the brain is damaged.

For example, someone who has a small stroke may experience only minor problems such as weakness of an arm or leg. People who have larger strokes may be paralyzed on one side or lose their ability to speak. Some people recover completely from strokes, but more than 2/3 of survivors will have some type of disability.

Information from: http://www.stroke.org/

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.

  • 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

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 (tell a doctor about your symptoms). Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives - maybe your own. Don't wait more than five minutes to call 9-1-1.

Information from: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3053#Heart_Attack

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3053#Stroke

CPR--CardioPulmonary Resuscitation

For CPR classes, as well as standard and advanced first aid training, contact your local Red Cross chapter. Also visit http://www.redcross.org/ and www.kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/home/firstaid_kit.html

For more on CPR visit http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3011764

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASES YOUR CHANCE (OR RISK) FOR GETTING HEART DISEASE AND/OR KIDNEY DISEASE, AND FOR HAVING A STROKE. IT IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT OFTEN HAS NO WARNING SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS. REGARDLESS OF RACE, AGE, OR GENDER, ANYONE CAN DEVELOP HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ONE IN EVERY FOUR AMERICAN ADULTS HAS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. ONCE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE DEVELOPS, IT USUALLY LASTS A LIFETIME. YOU CAN PREVENT AND CONTROL HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE BY TAKING ACTION.