Importance of Heart Awareness

Four people suffer a coronary event every two minutes (one every 25 seconds), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Know Your Numbers
High blood pressure or cholesterol levels can put you at risk for heart disease and stroke, the first and third leading causes of death in the United States. One out of three people in the U.S. suffer from high blood pressure. Even if you do everything right, such as eating healthy and working out, you may still have an elevated risk of high blood pressure, on account of genetics. Here are some simple things you can do to fight heart disease:

• engage in regular physical activity
• maintain a healthy weight
• cut back on foods that are high in fats or cholesterol
• refrain from smoking

Chest Pain? Don’t Wait. Call 911
Most heart attacks start with mild discomfort. Some people wait too long before contacting a physician, which can cause further damage to the heart. Contact 911 if you have the following symptoms:

• discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
• discomfort in other areas of the upper body such as one or both arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• shortness of breath, which often comes along with chest discomfort, but can occur before chest discomfort.

Other symptoms may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. Remember, even if you are not sure your symptoms are indicative of a heart attack, you should still seek medical attention. Fast action can save your life!