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A Warning You Need to Take Seriously

Todays Health Article

February 3rd, 2011

American Heart Month

All though the month of February is American Heart Month, which is observed each year at this time, we can lose focus, that is, to take care of our hearts all year long. We seem to need a reminder like, American Heart Month, to encourage others, that taking care of our hearts is very important. Why is that? The answer is… that Heart Disease, is the nation’s No. 1 killer! (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Heart Disease is not just for the old, like some of you would like to believe, but can strike any time, amongst young and old. This a Warning you need to take seriously.

Heart Facts

Nearly half of those who die from heart attacks each year never showed prior symptoms of heart disease. Right now, this very minute, millions of people are suffering from heart disease and do not even know it.

Both heart attacks and strokes are life and death situations that can cause hospitalization or even death.

People Confuse Heart Terms

A Heart Attack …

occurs when blood supply is cut off to a portion of the heart muscle, due to a clot in one of the arteries that supply the heart with blood. When blood flow is obstructed the symptoms of the heart attack are felt by the patient.

Most Heart Attacks start off with a mild pain and tightness in the chest. Unliked portrayed in the movies, the symptoms may be so negligible that you may ignore them altogether. But if feeling a discomfort in the middle of the chest, breathlessness or a feeling of being squeezed, call 911 and get medical attention immediately!
You should also be careful if you feel dizzy, experience discomfort around your jaws, arms or shoulders. Other symptoms of a heart attack may include breaking out in a cold sweat, lightheadedness or nausea.

A stroke…

is a when the supply of blood to the brain stops because of a clot in one of the arteries, it is called a stroke. Unlike a heart attack, in a stroke, there is usually no pain. The typical symptoms include a loss in feelings and difficulties in movement. If a patient displays any of the following symptoms, he may be having a stroke:

A sudden weakness or numbness in the face arms or legs, particularly those concentrated on a specific side of the body.
Sudden confusion or a difficulty to understand or speak.
A sudden inability to see in one or both eyes
A sudden trouble in doing any one of these- walking, maintaining balance or coordinating movements
A sudden and severe headache without a known reason.

Cardiac arrest…

is the abrupt loss of heart function in a person who may or may not have had heart disease. The time and mode of death are unexpected. Cardiac arrest occurs instantly or shortly after symptoms appear and the time can be totally unexpected. A heart attack may cause cardiac arrest and sudden death, the terms don’t mean the same thing.

Cardiac arrest is caused when the heart’s electrical system malfunctions. In cardiac arrest death results when the heart suddenly stops working properly. This is caused by abnormal, or irregular, heart rhythms called arrhythmias. The most common arrhythmia in cardiac arrest is ventricular fibrillation.

Cardiac arrest can be reversed if CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is performed and a defibrillator is used to shock the heart and restore a normal heart rhythm within a few minutes.

Resource Cited http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/CardiacArrest/About-Cardiac-Arrest_UCM_307905_Article.jsp

9-1-1 and Heart Disease

Call 9-1-1… if you see or experience any of these listed symptoms, immediately. Heart attacks and strokes are a life-and-death emergencies. This call may mean the difference between life and death. Not Always are the signs of Heart Disease easily understood by the person or loved ones. Sometimes they(symptoms) go away, yet return so do not delay… call 9-1-1 , or get help right away.

Preventitive

The American Heart Association has an online assessment tool called My Life Check (mylifecheck.heart.org), it prompts you to enter the stats on your cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, smoking status, weekly physical activity and diet and weight and then gives you a Heart Score, which ranges from zero to 10.

Are any areas that could use improvement? The program lists several “resolution” options, such as seeing a dietitian to come up with new meal plans or eating a little less every day. You can check your score as often as you like to track your progress.

Though the conditions are different, they may share common lifestyle factors which cause them in the first place. If you are overweight, a smoker or lack adequate exercise, suffer from high blood pressure and stress, you are more prone to having these life threatening conditions.

http://www.differencebetween.net/science/health/difference-between-heart-attack-and-stroke/#ixzz1Cvd1UYzF

Todays Health Comments

Todays awarness of Heart Disease, is much greater due to the large number of people, facing these conditions due to their lifestyle. The simple matter is preventive measures can be taken now, to help reduce your risk. Do not be confused with procrastination and taking action with the above symptoms. Not all these signs occur in every heart attack or stroke. In fact. sometimes they go away and return. Today heart attack and stroke victims can benefit from new medications and treatments which were unavailable to patients in years past. The “CLUE ” is getting help as quickly as possible and do not be afraid to call the 9-1-1 number, it saves lives.