Decisions for Your Health

Warning Signs of a Heart Attack

In most cases, symptoms of a heart attack begin slowly.  Usually individuals will experience mild pain or discomfort.  It is important that each person takes time to learn how to recognize these warning signs.  If people act quickly,  there will be time to get help.  Do not hesitate to call 9-1-1!

  • Chest discomfort. Discomfort is felt in the center of the chest and tends to last more than several minutes.  Or, the pain may come and go.  It feels as if there is pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
  • Discomfort in other areas of the upper body.  One may feel discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
  • Shortness of breath.  Shortness of breath may or may not be accompanied by pain.
  • Other signs.  One may feel lightheaded, nauseous, or break out in a cold sweat.
Chest pain or discomfort affect women as well as men.  However, women have a greater likelihood to experience some of the other symptoms than men.  (The information above came from the website of the American Heart Association.  You may read the full article at the following web address:  http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3053#Heart_Attack

Beware of Email Hoaxes

There is an email circulating that it is possible to survive a heart attack by coughing.  This is also known as "Cough CPR".  You may have come across this email already.  Please be advised that this is not true.  Click on the following link which will take you to the web page which explains how this hoax began.  http://www.snopes.com/medical/homecure/coughcpr.asp

It is always a good idea to check any forwarded emails you receive.  Please go to www.Snopes.com to confirm the validity of emails.