It’s February and hearts are everywhere!

It’s February and hearts are everywhere!! How is your loved ones heart? Every 34 seconds someone is experiencing a heart attack in the U.S. and someone dies of a heart attack every 60 seconds. Many women don’t experience the classic symptoms that accompany a heart attack- find out what they are BEFORE it happens to you or your Valentine!

Did you know that over 800,000 people in the U.S. die of a heart attack each year? And more than 50% experienced symptoms but ignored the warning signs. People may experience some or all of these symptoms, which may be mild or come and go over a period of time until the person collapses One third of people have no chest pain; this is more likely to include women, the elderly and people with diabetes. Pay attention to the warning signs and seek help immediately rather than take a chance on a fatal attack.

              Keep your heart healthy

Men typically experience symptoms such shortness of breath, fatigue or weakness, cold sweat, dizziness, tightness in chest (can feel achy or burning), pain in left arm to name some of the most common.

Women are less likely to experience chest pain, but can have pain spread into the arm, neck and jaw. Sometimes this pain is experienced on the right side rather than the left which makes it less likely to be recognized as heart related warning signs. Women can also experience shortness of breath, weakness or fatigue, nausea and stomach pain and anxiety.

If you think you or a loved one might be having a heart attack, CALL 9-1-1 immediately. DO NOT DRIVE to the hospital for treatment. Emergency responders have defibrillators, clot-busting medications, communicate with the hospital regarding your needs to prepare for your arrival and they have a much clearer route to the hospital. When you save time, you save muscle and can minimize damage to your heart.

Avoid a potential heart attack by exercising, eat fresh fruit and vegetables while limiting fatty meat and saturated fats, reduce alcohol consumption and don’t smoke, reduce stress, watch your weight and keep key numbers in check (blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes) with medication under your physicians care.