Heart Attack - Stroke - Cardiac Arrest: Recognizing Symptoms
The holidays are a time of extra stress for many. This means an increased risk and incidence of medical emergencies such as Heart Attack and Stroke. Know the warning signs and save a life!
ACT QUICKLY - SECONDS COUNT
From the American Heart Association:
If you, or someone you know, are experiencing any of these sypmtoms, seek professional medical help immediately. (Call your Doctor, Healthcare Practitioner, call 9-1-1 or go to the Emergency Room.)
Dial 9-1-1 Fast (USA)
"Heart attack and stroke are life-and-death emergencies -- every second counts. If you see or have any of the listed symptoms, immediately call 9-1-1. Not all these signs occur in every heart attack or stroke. Sometimes they go away and return. If some occur, get help fast! Today heart attack and stroke victims can benefit from new medications and treatments unavailable to patients in years past. For example, clot-busting drugs can stop some heart attacks and strokes in progress, reducing disability and saving lives. But to be effective, these drugs must be given relatively quickly after heart attack or stroke symptoms first appear. So again, don't delay -- get help right away!"
A Quick response can save a life and/or greatly reduce potentially resulting disability.
Statistics:
Coronary Disease is America's #1 killer and Stroke is #3.
PLEASE SHARE this Lens with friends and famliy (see email option at right). This is vital information and you may just help save a life.
NOTE:
This Lens is strictly informational and not a substitute for professional medical advice or care.
Proceeds from this Lens go to the American Heart Association
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FEBRUARY is National Heart Month (USA)
- American Heart Association Benefit Activities
- "The American Heart Association is celebrating National Heart Month with a series of Go Red For Women events. The Go Red For Women campaign funds research around women and heart disease and stroke, and it aims to educate women so that they can lead longer, healthier lives."
Winter Danger: Shoveling Snow
A friend of mine worked in a hospital ER for 13 years. She says that "more winter heart attacks occur while shoveling snow than any other activity".It looks so light and fluffy and innocent, yet it is heavy, can be hard (ice) and people easily over-exert themselves before realizing it.
Anyone with a history of Heart Disease has NO BUSINESS behind a snow shovel.
Please, please, PLEASE:
Hire the job done OR use a truck, tractor or snowblower (with reasonable care)!
Move out of the "Doer" role into the "Mentor & Teacher" role: Find a neighborhood kid(s) that would like to earn a little cash. They'll learn good work ethics and you'll get to stay all toasty and warm inside.
Early Warning Signs: Chest & Upper Body Pain
Warning Signs of Restricted Blood Flow to the Heart
- May happen days, weeks, or even months before the heart attack occurs
- May be mild and easily ignored
- May be confused with indigestion or sore muscles
A Lucky Guy
They got in the car and Mom drove to the Emergency Room door where Dad got out and walked in. There was a flurry of activity- he was immediately placed into a wheelchair while staff swarmed around buzzing "possible heart attack", taking his vital stats and poking him with IV's. By the time Mom got back from parking the car, he was already hooked up to all kinds of machines and tubes and on his way to test for possible blockages in the heart's arteries. The Doctor came back with the results. It was a very good thing he came in when he did: 3 major blockages had the heart working overtime just to work at 1/3 of capacity. They were amazed that he was in such good shape, let alone able to walk into the E.R. Options were discussed and life-saving angioplasty was performed and a stent installed.
This is a guy that excercizes regularly, watches his diet, has lowered his cholesterol and even checked out very well in routine physical exams. But with only 2 of the many possible symptoms, Dad luckily was aware enough to know he needed emergency medical care and didn't hesitate. The hospital staff said that people with this kind of condition frequently drop and are gone without warning. He was one of the lucky ones- he got a warning and responded in time.
Guys-
I know how many of you men-folk like to "tough it out" or "take it like a man" when you're not feeling right, but if you notice any one or combination of these symptoms and know you have a family history of heart disease or stroke, SEEK MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY. Call 911 or your local EMS (Emergency Medical Services) number where dispatchers are trained to recognize symptoms of possible heart attack or stroke. This is NOT the time to be stoic!!! Plus your loved ones would much rather send flowers to the hospital than the cemetary, thank you very much.
Heart Attack Warning Signs
Thanks to the AHA
- Chest discomfort
Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. - Discomfort in other areas of the upper body.
Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. - Shortness of breath.
May occur with or without chest discomfort. - Other signs:
These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness - MEN & WOMEN: DIFFERNCES in SYMPTOMS
As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.
Act Fast to Save a Life
Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services staff can begin treatment when they arrive -- up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. The staff are also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the hospital, too.
If you can't access the emergency medical services (EMS), have someone drive you to the hospital right away. If you're the one having symptoms, don't drive yourself, unless you have absolutely no other option.
Stroke Warning Signs
Stroke Symptoms
The American Stroke Association says these are the warning signs of stroke:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
Cardiac Arrest Warning Signs
Cardiac arrest strikes immediately and without warning. Here are the signs:
No normal breathing - The victim does not take a normal breath when you tilt the head up and check for at least five seconds.
If these signs of cardiac arrest are present, tell someone to call 9-1-1 and get an AED (if one is available) and you begin CPR immediately.
If you are alone with an adult who has these signs of cardiac arrest, call 9-1-1 and get an AED* (if one is available) before you begin CPR.
Use an AED as soon as it arrives.
*AED= Automated External Defibrillator
They are available in most Airports, Sports Arenas, and some Schools. Ambulances and EMT units and sometimes Fire Trucks carry them. There are also home AED kits available.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association (USA)
Finding Help - AED Signs & Symbols
AED Automated Electronic Defibrillator Kit Signs from Around the World
Some Common Signs For AED Equipment:





Finding Emergency Equipment in Public Places - AED Signs & Equipment
The AED is showing up in more and more public places. They are becoming common-place in airports, amusement parks, government buildings, hospitals, libraries, schools, shopping malls, sports arenas and train stations.
AED SIGNS come in many shapes and colors!
Look for:
1. The Letters "AED" OR
2.The Universal Heart Symbol with a Lightning Bolt.
North America - Signs are usually Red & White, sometimes Yellow & Blue or even Brown.
Europe & UK - Signs are usually Green & White.
Asia - Mostly Blue, Red and White, Red & White or Green & White.
The most Universal colors seems to be Green & White or Red & White.
Below are some examples, but not all sign types. Click the image for a larger view.
Info, Facts & Statistics
- Aspirin: AHA Reccomendations
- Advice on using Aspririn.
- Heart Attack Statistics
- From the Women's Heart Foundation (USA)
- Medi-Smart Warning Signs, Facts & Stats
- Short but excellent Info Page
- National Lung & Blood Institute (USA)
- -Heart Attacks
-Heart Attack Warning Signs
-Surviving a Heart Attack
-Testing for a Heart Attack
-Reducing Heart Attack Risk
-Heart Disease and Medications
-Frequently Asked Questions
Heart Rate & Blood Pressure Monitors
From Amazon.com
Click on the image or title for more info or to purchase from Amazon.com.
Glossary of Medical Terms
Understanding Associated Terms & Surgical Procedures
- ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION
Medical-speak for "HEART ATTACK".
Simplified:
An area of the heart muscle dies or is damaged because
of inadequate blood flow caused by blockage of one or more main arteries of the heart.
WHO (World Health Organization) Medical Definition
A Myocardial Infarction requrires any 2 of 3 criteria: ischemic symptoms
electrocardiographic changes
elevated creatine kinase-MB levels - ANGINA PECTORIS
Often called "ANGINA"
Severe, often suffocating, chest pain caused by insufficient oxygen supply from constricted blood flow to the heart.
Much like a HEART ATTACK, the main difference is that Angina is caused by partial blockages that develop slowly over time (more of a chronic condition) while a Heart Attack is caused by a very sudden total or near-total blockage. - ANGIOPLASTY
Also called BALLOON ANGIOPLASY
The use of a catheter with a tiny inflatable "balloon" at the end inserted through an artery in the leg (groin area) to reach the heart and inflated at the point of blockage to re-open an artery.
This is a minimally invasive, lower-risk procedure and does NOT require OPEN HEART SURGERY. Recovery time is short. - CARDIAC ARREST
The heart suddenly stops beating (or beats very inadequately) resulting in loss of circulation of blood to the entire body and, most critically, the brain. - CAROTID ARTERY STENOSIS
or Carotid Artery Disease
A narrowing of the Carotid Artery. This is a major cause of ISCHEMIC STROKE.
The CAROTID ARTERY is the large, main vessel in the neck supplying oxygen-rich bloodflow to the brain. - CATHETERIZATION
A Catheter is a small, flexible tube.
Catheterization is inserting one of these tubes into the body for the purpose of
-Draining fluids such as urine or blood
-Administering medication (epidurals for childbirth, etc.)
-To perform a procedure with minimal invasion (keeping body trauma & risk low, and recovery time short) such as ANGIOPLASTY or THROMBECTOMY. - CORONARY ARTERIES
(Corona = crown)
The large blood vessels surrounding the heart like a "crown" that supply blood to the heart. - CORONARY BYPASS SURGERY
The use of artery grafts (taken from the leg) to create a new bypass artery to supply bloodflow to the heart.
The NUMBER of bypasses performed defines the type of Bypass surgery:
Single (1), double (2), triple (2), quadruple (4)
In most cases this requires OPEN HEART SURGERY. (There are a few high-tech places performing this procedure without opening the chest cavity.) - OPEN HEART SURGERY
Surgery performed on the heart while the chest cavity is open- the rib cage has bee cut open to access the heart.
Extremely invasive procedure with more risk factors and requires a prolonged hospital stay and recovery. - STENT
Named after Charles R. Stent (1845-1901), an English dentist.
A stent is a tube inserted into a vessel, artery or body cavity to keep it open and allow for the flow of fluid. Stents may be made of metal or plastic. Stents used for angioplasty are usually mesh metal tubes. Some may be coated with medication to help prevent restenosis (re-narrowing) of the artery. These are usually much more expensive. - STROKE
"BRAIN ATTACK"
The sudden death of brain cells due to a sudden lack of bloodflow and oxygen.
2 Types:
ISCHEMIC- Caused by a blockage (blood clot).
HEMORRHAGIC- Caused by the rupturing of an artery (broken blood vessel). - THROMBECTOMY
Surgical removal of a Thrombus (blood clot) used for Stroke treatment or intervention.
"Fishing" for bloodclots.
A catheter with a cork-screw like tip is inserted into the artery and directed up toward the brain to snag the clot and withdraw it from the body.
CPR & AED (Automated External Defibrillator) Info & Articles
Know When & How (and When NOT to) Apply CPR or Defibrillator
A Jump-Start for the Heart
CPR & AED Instructional Videos
When there is no detectable pulse or breathing
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TTY/ TDD 911 Info
- TTY/TDD 911
- PDF Brochure:
911 Info for Communication Systems for Hearing Impaired, Speech Impaired, Blind and Deaf Persons.
Emergency Number For Other Countries
"911" Equivalents for English-Speaking Countries
- Australia = 000 (112 on cell phone)
- Canada (AB, MB, NB, NS, ON, PE, QU) = 911
- Canada (BC, NF, SK) = 911 local only
(911 service in major cities only; local numbers in rural areas) - Ireland, Republic of = 112 / 999
- New Zealand = 111
- South Africa = 10177, 10111 , 10111
South Africa (Cape Town) = 107 - United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)
= 112 / 999 - USA = 911
Heart & Brain Health & Recovery Library
"Beyond age & heredity, there are many factors we CAN control to reduce risk of Heart Attack & Stroke"
No Ifs, Ands or Butts...
Smoking is a Huge Risk Factor for Heart Attack and Stroke
That means both smokers and non-smokers that are exposed to second-hand smoke are at a much higher risk for a Heart Attack.Tobacco Smoke Exposure:
#1 Risk Factor for Heart Attack
(especially for Women)
#2 Risk Factor for Stroke
Heart Attack: Risk Factors You Can Change
- Cigarette & other Tobacco Smoke
Both First hand and Second-hand (passive) exposure.
This is the single biggest risk factor for women. - High Cholesterol Levels in the Blood
- High Blood Pressure
Cut out the Salt- table & "hidden"- as in that which is found in prepared & packaged foods. ALWAYS READ THE LABELS! - Inactivity
Lack of exercise, sedentary lifestyle. - Overweight, Obesity
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Stress
Stroke Risk Factors
- High Blood Pressure
Hold the Salt! If you smoke, you most likely over-salt your food because the taste buds become coated with tar and dull the sense of taste. - Cigarette/ Tobacco Smoke
Both first-hand AND second-hand smoke exposure.
Double Whammy- See above and watch the salt intake too. - Diabetes Mellitus
- Carotid or other Artery Disease such as Peripheral Artery Disease. (narrowing of arteries caused by fatty deposits)
- Atrial Fibrillation- Heart Rhythm disorder
- Other Heart Disease
- Sickle Cell Disease
- High Blood Cholesterol
- Poor Diet
- Physical Inactivity and Obesity
Moderate exercise 3 times a week can make a HUGE difference. Get up off of that sofa and WALK! If walking is out, get into the pool for 45 minutes. (Floating on an air mattress does NOT count!) - Geographic Location
Regions have different factors - stress levels, pollution, regional diets (Fried foods are beloved in the south, Chicago combines donuts and ice cream in the same place, plus sausages everywhere. Salt and fat galore!) - Socioeconomic Factors
Income brackets and social standings. Lower income can mean higher stress and poorer diet. - Alcohol abuse
- Drug abuse
Helpful Links Around the World
NPOs For English-Speaking Countries
- American Heart Association (USA)
- Heart Health & Disease Resource
- American Stroke Association (USA)
- Stroke Resource
- National Heart, Lung & Blood Association (USA)
- Heart & Vascular Disease Page
- Women's Heart Foundation (USA)
- The Women's Heart Foundation specializes in the design and implementation of highly effective wellness, prevention and early intervention programs and has received both national and international acclaim for its ability to reach out to thousands of women with direct and indirect service. As the front runner for women's cardiovascular disease issues, WHF is proud that the movement it started in 1986 is now a global one with mobilization of world health organizations, government, academic and science communities to bring about social change.
- National Stroke Foundation (Australia)
- Australia's Resource for Stroke Prevention, Treatment and Research.
- Heart Foundation (Australia)
- Australia's Resource for Heart Health and Heart Disease Prevention, Treatment and Research.
- British Heart Foundation (UK)
- Great Britian's Resource for Heart Health and Heart Disease Prevention, Treatment and Research.
- The Stroke Association (UK)
- Great Britian's Resource for Brain Health and Stroke Prevention, Treatment and Research.
- Heart & Stroke Foundation (Canada)
- Canadian Resource for Heart & Stroke.
- Irish Heart Foundation
- The Irish Heart Foundation is Ireland's only national charity for heart health and is working to reduce premature death and disability from heart disease and stroke.
- Irish Heart Foundation: Stroke Services
- Stroke kills more people in Ireland than lung cancer, bowel cancer and breast cancer combined. The Irish Heart Foundation, in association with the Department of Health and Children has commissioned the largest research project in stroke ever undertaken in Ireland.
- National Heart Foundation (New Zealand)
- The National Heart Foundation of New Zealand is the charity that leads the fight for heart health for all New Zealanders.
- The Stroke Foundation of New Zealand
- The Stroke Foundation provides information and support to people with a stroke, their family/whanau and caregivers. Our network of Field Officers and stroke support clubs assist the stroke-affected community. We also provide information through literature, videos and our 0800 78 76 53 (0800 STROKE) helpline to the general public.
- Heart & Stroke Foundation of South Africa
- The Heart Foundation is a community-based organisation established to reduce the incidence of heart disease and stroke in the population of South Africa by providing education and supporting research.
- World Heart Foundation (Switzerland)
- Swiss-based international heart foundation.
"The mission of the World Heart Foundation is to decrease the global inequity in the delivery of high-quality health care by improving the access that the underserved have to cardiac surgery. Its initial efforts focus on, but are not limited to, providing heart surgery to the children and young adults suffering from congenital heart anomalies in developing countries."
Cooking & Eating for Prevention and After Care
NY Times News Articles from American Heart Association
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When used with CPR, this can be a powerful pairing of life-saving procedures.
Most AEDs give audio prompts to the person using it on what to do when.
They are now available to the public. Many schools, airports and business now keep one on hand.
Get your own kit for home or travel.
Read more about AED's at the American Red Cross AED Info Page
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Share your thoughts here
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BrianS wrote...
Great lens, I have done a similar one for the British Heart Foundation as my father unfortunately died of a heart attack just over 2 years ago and I felt the need to raise awareness. Take a look if you have time and give me some feedback on how you think it could be improved.
monopoly wrote...
Great lens - 5 stars! My dad has had 2 heart attacks - and the survival rate is 50% - fast medical attention makes all the difference. For Articles, News and Resources on Angina, check out 123angina.com
J-ellen wrote...
Great lens. Very informative and organized. Five star. Please see my related lenses: Health Focus - Metabolic Syndrome and Aphasia in the Family. I am a type II diabetic with heart health risks due to Metabolic Syndrome. My husband suffered a massive stroke and has aphasia.
http://www.Squidoo.com/HealthFocus-MetabolicSyndrome
http://www.Squidoo.com/AphasiaintheFamily
lifelinescreening wrote...
Very good information in this lens. I should point out that health screening is an effective way to help detect your risk of many health issues and can help save lives. Check out the Life Line Screening lens http://www.squidoo.com/life-line-screening.
krisManuel wrote...
great lens! it's better to start taking care of your health at a younger age. 5-stars!
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