Page 24 - BARMC Guide 2017 MOBILE

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What Is A Heart Attack & Who Is At Risk?
A heart attack happens when blood ow to the heart suddenly becomes blocked and the heart can’t get oxygen. If
not treated quickly,
the heart muscle fails
to pump and begins
to die. Some risk factors
for a heart attack include: smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, poor diet, lack of exercise and family history of early heart disease. Talk to your doctor to nd out whether you are at risk for
a heart attack.
Minutes Matter!
Know The Warning Signs Of A Heart Attack & Take Action!
If you experience the warning signs of a heart attack, minutes matter! It is
very important to get a medical evaluation and treatment right
away. Your chances of surviving with the least amount of damage
to your heart and brain are greater the sooner you get help.
Remember, if you’ve had a heart attack, your chances of having another
are greater and your symptoms may vary from the rst heart attack. Women are more likely to have the “other” common signs of a heart attack, including: shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, pain in the back, neck or jaw. Sometimes the signs
of a heart attack may happen suddenly or over hours, days or even weeks.
If you think you
are having a heart attack,
don’t wait, call 9-1-1! Don’t try to drive yourself, paramedics are trained
to treat you on the way
to the hospital!
What Is a Stroke & Who Is At Risk?
A stroke or “brain attack” occurs when a blood vessel (a tube through which the blood moves through the body) breaks, interrupting blood ow to an area of the brain or when a blood clot blocks an artery (a large blood vessel) that carries blood from the heart. When either of these things happen, brain cells begin to die and brain damage occurs.
Anyone can have a stroke no matter your age, race or gender. But, the chances of having a stroke increase if a person has certain health risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, atrial brillation, diabetes or atherosclerosis.
ere are also lifestyle factors that can increase risk such as smoking, alcohol use and obesity.
Call 9-1-1 immediately if you have any of these symptoms!
FOCUS ON HEALTH-HEART ATTACK & STROKE
Use this simple acronym F.A.S.T., to recognize a stroke:
FACE DROOPING:
Does one side of your face droop or is it numb?
ARM WEAKNESS: Is one arm weak or numb? Raise both arms, does one drift downward?
SPEECH DIFFICULTY:
Is your speech slurred? Are you unable to speak? Try to say a simple sentence like “The sky is blue.”
TIME TO CALL 9 -1-1: If you notice any of these symptoms, even if they go away, call 911 immediately.
Common Warning Symptoms Of Heart Attack For Both Men And Women:
• Chest discomfort: Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes
or goes away and comes back. The discomfort can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing or fullness.
• Discomfort in other areas of the body: Symptoms may include discomfort in one or both arms or the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath: This symptom often accompanies chest discomfort. However, it can also occur before the chest discomfort.
• Other signs: Breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or light-headedness.
Talk to your doctor to nd out whether you are at risk for a stroke. Learn as many stroke symptoms as possible so you can recognize stroke as FAST as possible. Other stroke symptoms include:
• Sudden numbness/weakness in leg
• Sudden confusion or trouble
understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or
both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness,
loss of balance and coordination
• Sudden severe headache
with no known cause
Note the time when you experienced your very
rst symptom.
This is important to your healthcare provider and can a ect treatment decisions!