I'm posting this because this month of February, supposedly Heart's Month as others claimed, I've been hearing news of death because of heart attack. Fact shows that Disease of the Heart is still the number one cause of mortality here in the Philippines.
In nursing, we called this Myocardial Infarction (MI), but its commonly known as heart attack. A heart attack happens when an artery that carries blood to the heart becomes blocked. This stops oxygen and nutrients from reaching part of the heart muscle. If blood flow is not restored quickly, some of the cells that make up the heart muscle become damaged and start to die. The longer it takes for treatment to be started, the more damage to the heart.
Although women often think of heart attack as something that affects mainly men, heart disease is the number one killer of women. According to Women's Heart Organization 42% of women who have heart attacks die within 1 year, compared to 24% of men.Under age 50, women’s heart attacks are twice as likely as men’s to be fatal. And yes, young women can have heart attacks too! :( The first step toward surviving a heart attack is learning to recognize the symptoms. The most common signs of heart attack in both women and men are:
Know the Symptoms
1.Unusually heavy pressure on the chest, like there's a ton of weight on you
Most heart attacks involve chest pain or discomfort in the center or left side of the chest. It usually lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain. It may even feel like heartburn or indigestion.
Did you know: Not all women have chest discomfort or other common symptoms during their heart attack. When in doubt, check it out.
2. Sharp upper body pain in the neck, back, and jaw
This symptom can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, shoulders, neck, jaw, or upper part of stomach (not below the belly button). Pain in the back, neck, or jaw is a more common heart attack symptom for women than it is for men.
3.Severe shortness of breath
This symptom can come on suddenly. It may occur while you are at rest or with minimal physical activity. You may struggle to breathe or try taking deep breaths. Shortness of breath may start before or at the same time as chest pain or discomfort, and can even be your only symptom.
4. Cold sweats, and you know it's not menopause
Unexplained or excessive sweating, or breaking out into a "cold sweat," can be a sign of heart attack.
5.Unusual or unexplained fatigue (tiredness)
Sudden and unusual tiredness or lack of energy is one of the most common symptoms of heart attack in women, and one of the easiest to ignore. It can come on suddenly or be present for days. More than half of women having a heart attack experience muscle tiredness or weakness that is not related to exercise.
6.Unfamiliar dizziness or light-headedness
Unlike in the movies, most heart attacks do not make you pass out right away. Instead, you may suddenly feel dizzy or light-headed.
7.Unexplained nausea (feeling sick to the stomach) or vomiting
Women are twice as likely as men to experience nausea, vomiting, or indigestion during their heart attack. These feelings are often written off as having a less serious cause. Remember, nausea and vomiting may be signs that something is seriously wrong, especially if you have other symptoms.
If you have any one of these symptoms and it lasts for more than five minutes, call for emergency medical care. Even if your symptoms go away in less than five minutes, call your doctor right away—it could be a sign that a heart attack is coming soon. Don't waste time trying home remedies or waiting for the feelings to pass on their own. Remember, quick treatment can save your life.
Did you know: The symptoms of a second heart attack can be different from the ones you had during your first heart attack.
Minutes Matter: Heart attack treatments work best when givenwithin one hour of when your symptoms started.
Within one hour: your risk of dying is cut in half
Within three hours: your risk of dying is cut by 25 percent
Every 30 minutes you wait to get help could takeone year off of your life!
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