Keep Your Heart Healthy 

Reasons to Keep Your Heart Healthy

For Yourself

For Your Loved Ones

For Your Children

For Your Grandchildren.

Image Source: Helmut Gevert. Heart 1. Royalty Free Use.

What is Heart Disease? 

Background Information on Heart Disease Worth Knowing

Heart disease is a number of abnormal conditions affecting the heart and the blood vessels in the heart.

Types of heart disease include:

Coronary artery disease (CAD) - CAD is the most common type and is the leading cause of heart attacks. With CAD, the arteries become hard and narrow. Blood has a hard time getting to the heart, so the heart does not get all the blood it needs.

CAD can lead to:

Angina - Angina is chest pain or discomfort that happens when the heart does not get enough blood. It may feel like a pressing or squeezing pain, often in the chest, but sometimes the pain is in the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back. It can also feel like indigestion (upset stomach). Angina is not a heart attack, but having angina means you are more likely to have a heart attack.

Heart attack - A heart attack occurs when an artery is severely or completely blocked, and the heart does not get the blood it needs for more than 20 minutes.

Heart failure - Heart Failure occurs when the heart is not able to pump blood through the body as well as it should. This means that other organs, which normally get blood from the heart, do not get enough blood. It does NOT mean that the heart stops.

Heart arrhythmias - Arrythmias are changes in the beat of the heart. Most people have felt dizzy, faint, out of breath or had chest pains at one time. These changes in heartbeat are, for most people, harmless. As you get older, you are more likely to have arrhythmias.

Source: Women's Health.gov. January 2007. Heart Disease.
Image Source:
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Coronary Artery Disease.

Did You Know...Facts about Heart Disease 

• Cardiovascular (Heart) disease is the No. 1 killer of both men and women in the United States.
• Stroke is also caused by a cardiovascular disease that affects the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain.
• Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States.
• Lifestyle choices, such as making poor food choices, inactivity and tobacco use are major contributors to cardiovascular disease.
• Seventy percent of Americans don't get enough exercise, blaming lack of time and lack of motivation.
• Physical inactivity significantly increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
• Eating a healthy diet and making good lifestyle choices are the best weapons you have to fight cardiovascular disease.
• Some experts believe that physical activity should be the primary focus of efforts to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Prevent Heart Disease - Promote Heart Health 

1. What is Heart Disease?
2. Atherosclerosis - The Effects of Heart Disease
3. Go Red - American Heart Disease Public Awareness Campaign
4. Women and Heart Disease
5. The Heart Truth - Women and Heart Disease
6. Ways to Promote Heart Health
7. Balance Calories In with Your Activity and Exercise
8. Choose to Move
9. Take the Start! Challenge
10. Heart Benefits of Walking
11. AHA Diet Recommendations - Eat More of These
12. AHA Diet Recommendations - Eat Less of These
13. Lifestyle Changes to Manage Coronary Artery Disease
14. Learn to Recognize Signs of a Heart Attack
15. Learn to Recognize Signs of a Stroke
16. If in Doubt - Dial 9-1-1
17. More Resources on Heart Disease
18. More Resources on Stroke

Atherosclerosis - The Effects of Heart Disease 

Go Red for Women 

Go Red For Women celebrates the energy, passion and power we have as women to band together to wipe out heart disease and stroke.

Thanks to the participation of millions of people across the country, the color red and the red dress now stand for the ability all women have to improve their heart health and live stronger, longer lives.

Go Red For Women

Go Red for Woman Home page.

Go Red For Women : National Wear Red Day

Join thousands of women, companies and organizations and cities across America on National Wear Red Day, Friday, February 1, 2008.

Go Red Public Service Announcement on YouTube 

Go Red Dress Pin in the Amazon Spotlight 

Swarovski Crystal Go Red Dress Pin

Amazon Price: $55.00 (as of 07/26/2008)
List Price:

Show your support for the Go Red Campaign with this unique Swarovski Crystal Red Pin Dress.

Siam crystals set in Pointiage; back finished in red enamel. Swarovski authorized dealer. Size: 1"

Price: $55.00

Become the Heart of Go Red on YouTube 

More information on The Heart of Go Red 

Go Red for Women

Find out more about the Go Red for Women Campaign.

More information on Becoming the Heart of Go Red

Learn details on sharing your story in the Heart of Go Red by downloading this pdf file.

Go Red for Women on Flickr 

Images from National Wear Red Day

National Wear Red Day, Friday, February 1, 2008 

Celebrating 5 Years

Heart disease is still the #1 killer of women in the United States with over 460,000 women dying each year.

Join with thousands of women, companies and organizations and cities across America on National Wear Red Day, Friday, February 1, 2008. By wearing red you'll be showing your support and helping the American Heart Association support ongoing research and education about women and heart disease.

National Wear Red Day has its own dress code. Wear your favorite red clothes or accessory - a red blouse, a red dress pin, a fabulous red handbag - put on red lipstick, or sport a red tie and red socks. Go red in your own fashion to show your support for women and the fight against heart disease.

For More Information see the National Wear Red Page.

Another Go Red Public Service Announcement 

Go Red Jewelry Available on Amazon 

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Women and Heart Disease - the Heart Truth 

The Heart Truth - Women and Heart Disease 

The Heart Truth is that heart disease is the #1 killer of American women. In fact, one in four women dies of heart disease. But heart disease can also lead to disability and a significantly decreased quality of life.

To make women more aware of the danger of heart disease, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and partner organizations are sponsoring a national campaign called The Heart Truth. The campaign's goal is to give women a personal and urgent wakeup call about their risk of heart disease.

Celebrate the kick-off to American Heart Month and National Wear Red Day on Friday, February 1, 2008, by wearing red in support of women's heart health.

Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. What is the Heart Truth?

The Heart Truth Red Dress Campaign on YouTube 

Limited Edition Go Red Barbies on Amazon 

Go Red For Women Barbie®...

Barbie Heart Association...

Barbie Heart Association...

American Heart Association Resources 

American Heart Association

The home page for the American Heart Association.

Heart Attack

Heart disease is the leading killer of Americans today; heart attack is its most visible sign. Find an explanation of heart attack, prevention guidelines, patient information and more here.

Risk Factors and Coronary Heart Disease

This explains the major risk factors for coronary heart disease and steps you can take to reduce your risk.

High Blood Pressure

Many people have high blood pressure for years without knowing it. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, congestive heart failure or kidney failure.

Cholesterol

Cholesterol can be both good and bad, so it's important to learn what cholesterol is, how it affects your health and how to manage your blood cholesterol levels.

Learn About Stroke

Learn about stroke the nation's third leading cause of death.

Children's Health

Learn about Children's Health and raising healthier children from the American Heart Association.

Basic Information on Preventing Heart Disease 

(You don't need to divulge the numbers. A simple yes or no is good.)

a%3A10%3A%7Bs%3A8%3A%22approval%22%3Bs%3A6%3A%22manual%22%3Bs%3A10%3A%22blurbCount%22%3Bs%3A1%3A%225%22%3Bs%3A7%3A%22option1%22%3Bs%3A26%3A%22Yes.+I+get+them+monitored.%22%3Bs%3A7%3A%22option2%22%3Bs%3A17%3A%22No.+I+don%27t+know.%22%3Bs%3A6%3A%22period%22%3Bs%3A1%3A%221%22%3Bs%3A8%3A%22question%22%3Bs%3A48%3A%22Do+you+know+your+blood+pressure+and+cholesterol%3F%22%3Bs%3A12%3A%22requireLogin%22%3Bs%3A4%3A%22true%22%3Bs%3A9%3A%22sendEmail%22%3Bs%3A3%3A%22yes%22%3Bs%3A10%3A%22showPhotos%22%3Bs%3A3%3A%22yes%22%3Bs%3A9%3A%22stripHTML%22%3Bs%3A2%3A%22no%22%3B%7D

Do you know your blood pressure and cholesterol?

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Yes. I get them monitored.

KimGiancaterino says:

Absolutely... I had heart surgery 4 years ago and keep a close eye on everything.

Posted April 09, 2008

GypsyPirate says:

Yes, I keep an eye on them both.

Posted February 11, 2008

Comfortdoc says:

Yes. Thankfully they are both in the normal range.

Posted January 28, 2008

No. I don't know.

rms says:

Hmmm...better get mine checked!

Posted January 31, 2008

 

 

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Ways to Promote Heart Health 

A Heart-ful Valentine Gift

You can easily promote heart health by adopting a few healthy changes to your lifestyle.

Reducing your chances of getting heart disease by taking these steps might be the most heart-ful present you can give to your Valentine.

Know your blood pressure.
Your heart moves blood through your body. If it is hard for your heart to do this, your heart works harder, and your blood pressure will rise. People with high blood pressure often have no symptoms, so have your blood pressure checked every 1 to 2 years.

If you have high blood pressure, see your doctor for treatment options that may include lifestyle changes and medicine to help lower your blood pressure.

Don't smoke.
If you smoke, try to quit. If you're having trouble quitting, there are products and programs that can help. Ask your doctor or nurse for help.

Get tested for diabetes. People with diabetes have high blood glucose (often called blood sugar). People with high blood sugar often have no symptoms, so have your blood sugar checked regularly. Having diabetes raises your chances of getting heart disease.

If you have diabetes, see your doctor for treatment options that will include healthy eating, exercises and possible diabetes pills or insulin shots.

Get your cholesterol and triglyceride levels tested.
High blood cholesterol can clog your arteries and keep your heart from getting the blood it needs. This can cause a heart attack. Triglycerides are a form of fat in your blood stream. High levels of triglycerides are linked to heart disease in some people. People with high blood cholesterol or high blood triglycerides often have no symptoms, so have your blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked regularly.

If your cholesterol or triglyceride levels are high, talk see your doctor about options for lower your cholesterol and triglyceride levels by eating better, exercising more and possible medication.

Maintain a healthy weight.
Being overweight raises your risk for heart disease. Calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) to see if you are at a healthy weight.

Eat a healthy diet and exercise at a moderate intensity for at least 30 minutes most days of the week. Start by adding more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to your diet.

Take a brisk walk on your lunch break or take the stairs instead of the elevator.

Limit Alcohol.
If you drink alcohol, limit it to no more than one drink (one 12 ounce beer, one 5 ounce glass of wine, or one 1.5 ounce shot of hard liquor) a day.

Find healthy ways to cope with stress.
Lower your stress level by talking to your friends, exercising, or writing in a journal.

Source: Women's Health.gov. January 2007. Heart Disease.

A Squidoo Lens on Keeping Healthy Resolutions 

Healthy Year Round Resolutions by Kirsti A. Dyer MD, MS, CWS

Making a New Year's Resolution for your health, may be one of the most important things that you do in 2008, but you don't have to just make a resolution for the New Year. You can decide at any time to make resolutions to live a healthier life, resol...

Balance Calories In with Activity and Exercise 

Know the Calories You Need
Start by knowing how many calories you should be eating and drinking to maintain your weight then don't eat more calories than you know you can burn up every day.

Keeping a stable weight involves maintaining a balance between the calories or food that you take in during the day and the calories that you use up in activity and exercise, so that

Calories Eaten = Calories Burned

Be Active
Increase the amount and intensity of your physical activity to match the number of calories you take in.

Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days of the week or - best of all - at least 30 minutes every day.

Benefits of Regular Activity
Regular physical activity can help you maintain your weight, keep off weight that you lose and help you reach physical and cardiovascular fitness. If you can't do at least 30 minutes at one time, you can add up 10-minute sessions throughout the day.

Source: American Heart Association. 2006. Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations.

Image Source: Modified Microsoft Image.

Books on Living a Health Lifestyle on Amazon 

American Heart Association No-Fad Diet: A Personal Plan for Healthy Weight Loss

by American Heart Association

Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 07/26/2008)

The Healthy Heart Walking CD: Walking Workouts For A Lifetime Of Fitness

by American Heart Association

Amazon Price: $11.20 (as of 07/26/2008)

American Heart Association: To Your Health! A Guide to Heart-Smart Living

by American Heart Association

Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 07/26/2008)

American Heart Association 6 Weeks to Get Out the Fat: An Easy-to-Follow Program for Trimming the Fat from Your Diet (American Heart Association)

by American Heart Association

Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 07/26/2008)

American Heart Association Fitting in Fitness: Hundreds of Simple Ways to Put More Physical Activity into Your Life (American Heart Association)

by American Heart Association

Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 07/26/2008)

Choose to Move and Start! Get You Going 

In addition to raising awareness about Heart Disease during the month of February, the American Heart Association is sponsoring several new programs to get people moving. One for Women is Choose to Move, the other for anyone is the Start! program.

Choosing to Move and getting Started improving your heart is the best Valentine present you can give to your self and to your loved ones.

Choose to Move on YouTube 

Lifeline Breast Cancer Awareness Walking Kit 

Lifeline Breast Cancer Awareness Waist Pack And Pedometer Combo (Black)

Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 07/26/2008)

A walking kit is a great incentive to get you moving.

Lifeline's walking kit includes a waist pack with three zippered pockets and step counter (pedometer) Each zipper has their own ribbon zipper pulls.

Lifeline donates a portion of the proceeds to breast cancer awareness.

Choose to Move - For Women 

Choose To Move is a great way to help you improve your heart health, by showing you how physical activity can fit into your busy life.

The 12-week program takes you step-by-step through simple exercises and offers great tips to increase physical activity and reach goals.

Sponsored by the American Heart Association.

Choose To Move

Choose To Move is a free 12-week physical activity program for women. It shows women how to get active, eat healthfully and love their heart in just 12 weeks.

Choose To Move - Learn More

You can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke by building more physical activity into your existing routine not new routines that are hard to fit into your day.

Choose to Move Blog

Read the Choose to Move Blog, where women choose, they move and then blog to stay on course.

American Heart Association - Start! on YouTube 

Take the Start! Challenge 

Start! is the American Heart Association's national campaign that calls on Americans and their employers to create a culture of physical activity for longer, heart-healthy lives through walking.

Start! Challenge

With the start of the New Year comes the Start! Challenge. The goal is simple - to help Americans like you get healthier.

What is Start?

Learn more about the American Heart Association's Start! Campaign

Start! Walking Program for Individuals

The American Heart Association's Start! Walking Program helps companies encourage employees and co-workers to live healthier, happier lives.

American Heart Association's Walking CD 

The Healthy Heart Walking CD: Walking Workouts For A Lifetime Of Fitness

by American Heart Association

Amazon Price: $11.20 (as of 07/26/2008)

This CD was designed to be listened to again and again, whenever you have time for a half-hour fitness walk.

There are two programs one 30-minute walk for beginners and another 30-minute walk for intermediates.

Judged by some walking enthusiasts as the one of the best. The CD provides encouragement, without a lot of additional talking.

Heart Benefits of Walking 

There are many benefits to your heart and your health from walking. Walking can help in relieving stress and boosting your spirits to helping manage some diseases.

Here are just some of the known heart benefits of walking:

Source:
Mayo Clinic Staff. December 2006. Walking for fitness: How to trim your waistline, improve your health. Fitness. Tools for Healthier Life.

1. Reduce your risk of a heart attack.
   Walking keeps your heart healthy by lowering the "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, LDL) cholesterol and raising the "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, HDL) which reduces the risk of a heart attack.
2. Reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure.
   A regular walking program also reduces your risk of developing high blood pressure, a factor that also contributes to heart disease.
3. Reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
   Regular exercise reduces your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. If you're a woman, overweight and at a high risk of diabetes, walking can improve your body's ability to process sugar (glucose tolerance).
4. Reduce your weight.
   Walking is an excellent way of burning calories which will help in losing weight.
5. Manage your blood pressure.
   If you already have high blood pressure, walking may reduce it.
6. Manage stress and boost your spirits.
   Going for a brisk walk is a great way to reduce stress.
7. Manage your weight.
   Walking burns calories, which can help in managing weight. Middle-aged women who walk more than 10,000 steps a day have lower levels of body fat than do women who are less active.
8. Manage your diabetes.
   If you already have type 2 diabetes, taking part in a regular walking program can improve your body's ability to process sugar, lower your blood sugar, reduce your risk of heart disease and help you live longer.

Walking Kit in the Amazon Spotlight 

Cory Everson 6-piece Walking Set

Amazon Price: $24.64 (as of 07/26/2008)

Give the gift of health. Encourage a loved one to start walking with this Walking Set.

The 6-piece set includes one pair of washable neoprene hand weights with cool pack (1lb each), a walking/jogging digital clip-on pedometer, neoprene belt with reflective band that can hold a cd player iPod or radio, sport water bottle and Fitness Guide.

Squidoo Lenses on Walking for Exercise 

Steptember - Getting You to Move and Eat Better in September

Take the Steptember Challenge and make two small changes that will have a big influence on your health by moving more and eating less. American on the Move is encouraging everyone to move more and eat healthier during the month of September. The go...

Nature Therapy - Therapeutic Walking or Hiking - Green Therapy

John Muir once wrote, In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks. Walking in nature can have many therapeutic benefits for the person walking. Taking a walk or a hike to enjoy the scenery, the fresh air and the activity can help in...

Walk Yourself Healthy - Walking for Health - Health Benefits of Walking

While walking may be one of the oldest forms of exercise it continues to be one of the best ways to improve your health and well being. Because of it many benefits walking may become one of the most popular prescriptions available in a physician's ar...

A Squidoo Lens on the 2008 AHA Walk 

HEART WALK 2008 benefit American Heart Association | Personalize Your Cause Wear a Custom Photo Button

Welcome to my 2008 Heart Walk lens! I hope you will find this handcrafted lens a unique and useful resource for your 2008 Heart Walk|fundraising experience. I have two goals with this Squidoo lens: First, Provide YOU with unique, useful and updated...

Learn About the Alliance for a Healthier Generation 

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation

The mission of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation is to eliminate childhood obesity and to inspire all young people in the United States to develop lifelong, healthy habits. The goals of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation are two-fold 1...

AHA Diet Recommendations - Eat More of These 

To get the nutrients you need, choose foods like vegetables, fruits, whole-grain products and fat-free or low-fat dairy products most often.

Source: American Heart Association. 2006. Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations.
Image Source: Photo Source: Meliha Gojak. Assorted Fruit. Royalty Free Use.

1. Eat a Variety of Fruits and Vegetables. Vegetables and fruits are high in vitamins, minerals and fiber - and they're low in calories. Eating a different fruits and vegetables may help you control your weight and your blood pressure.
2. Eat Whole Grains.
   Unrefined whole-grain foods contain fiber that can help lower your blood cholesterol and help you feel full, which may help you manage your weight.
3. Eat fish at least twice a week.
   Recent research shows that eating oily fish containing omega-3 fatty acids (for example, salmon, trout, and herring) may help lower your risk of death from coronary artery disease.

AHA Diet Recommends - Eat These Less Often 

1. Choose lean meats and poultry without skin and prepare them without added saturated and trans fat.
2. Select fat-free, 1 percent fat, and low-fat dairy products.
3. Cut back on foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils to reduce trans fat in your diet.
4. Cut back on foods high in dietary cholesterol. Aim to eat less than 300 milligrams of cholesterol each day.
5. Cut back on beverages and foods with added sugars.
6. Choose and prepare foods with little or no salt. Aim to eat less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day.
7. If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation. That means one drink per day if you're a woman and two drinks per day if you're a man.

A Squidoo Lenses Promoting Health 4 Life 

Raising Healthy Children for Life

Health 4 Life helps put the focus on raising healthy kids by providing education and resources for schools and families to encourage healthy choices, good nutrition and daily physically activity in a fun and enjoyable manner. Health 4 Life is a simpl...

AHA Cookbook on Low Fat Foods on Amazon 

The American Heart Association Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol Cookbook

by American Heart Association

Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 07/26/2008)

A wide variety of low-fat and low-cholesterol recipes that can help get the whole family started on healthy, heart-smart eating.

A Squidoo Lens on the Basics of Cholesterol 

What Cholesterol Is and How it Works

Are you one of the millions of people who knows about this nasty little thing called cholesterol, but really have no idea what it is, what it does, and how it affects you?  You're not alone.  Read on to find out just what cholesterol is, wh...

Ways to Manage Coronary Artery Disease 

From the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

1. Follow a heart healthy eating plan to prevent or reduce high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol and to maintain a healthy weight
2. Increase your physical activity. Check with your doctor first to find out how much and what kinds of activity are safe for you.
3. Lose weight, if you're overweight or obese.
4. Quit smoking, if you smoke. Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.
5. Learn to cope with and reduce stress.

Healthy Eating Books for Promoting Heart Health 

American Heart Association Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol Cookbook, 3rd Edition: Delicious Recipes to Help Lower Your Cholesterol

by American Heart Association

Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 07/26/2008)

American Heart Association Meals in Minutes Cookbook: Over 200 All-New Quick and Easy Low-Fat Recipes

by American Heart Association

Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 07/26/2008)

American Heart Association Low-Salt Cookbook, 3rd Edition: A Complete Guide to Reducing Sodium and Fat in Your Diet

by American Heart Association

Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 07/26/2008)

American Heart Association One-Dish Meals: Over 200 All-New, All-in-One Recipes

by American Heart Association

Amazon Price: $16.29 (as of 07/26/2008)

The New American Heart Association Cookbook, 7th Edition

by American Heart Association

Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 07/26/2008)

AHA's Healthy Recipies in the Amazon Spotlight 

American Heart Association Quick & Easy Cookbook: More Than 200 Healthful Recipes You Can Make in Minutes (American Heart Association)

by American Heart Association

Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 07/26/2008)

An antidote to fast food eating...fast and healthy meals to prepare.

200 recipes that are tasty, healthful, low-fat, and fast. Many of the recipes take 20 minutes or less preparation time.

An indispensable cookbook from one of the most trusted names in the health field, the American Heart Association, will break the fast-food, fast-fat connection.

A Squidoo Lens on Promoting Heart Health 

Heart Health - Are You Living A Heart Smart Lifestyle?

By Sharon Stajda This miraculous muscle is what keeps us alive and breathing... The heart is a muscle, it is as small as a fist, and its main function is to pump blood to the entire body. This blood supply is responsible for taking nourishing oxygen to...

A Squidoo Lens on Using Music for the Heart 

Music For the Heart

Music for the Heart will present strategies to address the specific stress-inducing events that surround cardiovascular health problems.  Recent research has emphasized the need for a holistic approach to health after heart attacks and cardiovas...

Coronary Heart Disease is a Silent Disease 

You might be wondering why you should be concerned about Heart Disease or Coronary Artery Disease. There are some pretty compelling reasons to pay attention to this disease.

Coronary heart disease is a silent disease. You may have heart disease for years and be unaware of it.

The first presentation is often sudden death, especially in women.

I have pulled a few quotes from medical journals that discuss the sudden, unexpected course of Coronary Heart Disease.

It is now recognized that in a proportion of patients the first manifestation of coronary artery disease is sudden collapse and death, due to acute myocardial infarction and/or ventricular arrhythmias.

The absence of premonitory symptoms emphasizes the need for a population approach to primary prevention.

Source: Davies SW. Clinical presentation and diagnosis of coronary artery disease: stable angina. British Medical Bulletin 59;2001:17-27.

It is this absence of symptoms to let you know that you have coronary heart disease that underscores the need to be screening people for heart disease, before it happens.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) usually coexists with atherosclerosis of other arterial trees and is accelerated by several risk factors. It may remain asymptomatic for a long period affecting the vessel wall with no lumen encroachment.

However, its course may change dramatically when complicated by thrombosis arising from ruptured atherosclerotic plaques leading to myocardial infarction or sudden death, which are often the first manifestations.

Source: Triposkiadis F, Starling RC, Stefanadis C. Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Coronary Artery Disease. Current Cardiology Reviews. 3(3);2007: 221-231(11).

Image Source: Sophie. Heart. Royalty Free Use.

Act in Time to Heart Attack Signs on YouTube 

Learn to Recognize Heart Attack Warning Signs 

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense - the "movie heart attack," where no one doubts what's happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help.

Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:

• 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 with or without chest discomfort.
• Breaking out in a cold sweat
• Nausea
• Lightheadedness

Signs of a Heart Attack 

Learn to Recognize the Stroke Warning Signs 

Stroke is also caused by a cardiovascular disease. It affects the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain.

Source: American Heart Association. Heart Attack, Stroke and Cardiac Arrest Warning Signs
Image Source: Rodrigo Galindo. Brain. Royalty Free Use.

The American Stroke Association says the following list are the warning signs of stroke.

If you or someone with you has one or more of these signs, don't delay! Immediately call 9-1-1 or the emergency medical services (EMS) number so an ambulance (ideally with advanced life support) can be sent for you.

1. Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
2. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
3. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
4. Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

Signs of a Stroke 

Fast Action Can Save Lives 

If in Doubt - Dial 9-1-1 

Even if you're not sure it's a heart attack, have it checked out. Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives - maybe your own. Don't wait more than five minutes to call 9-1-1.

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.

Source: American Heart Association

More Resources on Heart Disease 

The Heart Truth: A Campaign For Women About Heart Disease

A Campaign to raise heart awareness by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Women Heart Disease, Heart Attacks, Coronary, Cardiac Health

The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease. Providing information and resources related to cardiac health, coronary disease and preventing heart attacks.

Coronary Artery Disease

Information on Coronary Artery Disease from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

The Latest News on Preventing Heart Disease 

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Featured SquidKnol Group Lens 

SquidKnol Group Headquarters

A group of Expert Lensmasters creating specialized Squidoo Lenses to enter resources into the world's database of information. This group is only open to members who made lens pages under the SquidKnol template.

Featured Lens on the Natural Health Group 

Natural Health Headquarters

Group for all lenses related to healthy living and natural health. All lenses are reviewed to bring you the best lenses for natural health on Squidoo. You will fine the lenses seperated by categories and genres to help you in finding the right lens...

More Resources on Stroke 

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke mission is to reduce the burden of neurological disease - a burden borne by every age group, by every segment of society, by people all over the world.

National Stroke Association

National Stroke Association provides information on stroke prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and making the most of life after stroke.

Stroke American Heart Association

Stroke is a cardiovascular disease. It affects the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain.

American Stroke Association

American Stroke Association goal is to reduce stroke and risk by 25 percent by 2010.

The Latest News on Strokes 

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A Squidoo Lenses on Congenital Heart Disease 

A DAY FOR HEARTS - Congenital Heart Defects Awareness Day

  A DAY FOR HEARTS on February 14th gives our vibrant networked online community the chance to participate in a humane cause: Promoting Awareness of Congenital Heart Defects. Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) are a lethal constellation of heart birt...

Reader Feedback on Promoting Heart Health 

Your place for feedback, comments or questions.

jeffwend Great lens, I'm featuring it in my Natural Health Group Posted June 23, 2008

snoring Hi Kirsti. I came across your lens...Really Cool. Also a great article about Symptoms heart disease :-) Snoring is a bigger issue in relationships than what many of my friends and experts had originally thought. Snoring is a real problem that at times can separate a couple within their own home and eventually break up a marriage or relationship without really knowing that snoring was the original underlying culprit. Visit also my site and see some other cool stuff for people who snore! Posted May 18, 2008

KimGiancaterino What a wonderful resource! Posted April 09, 2008

DBT70 Hi Kirsti, Your site is wonderful and very thorough! I appreciate your reference to my squidoo page and will definitely add you to my links. Thank you for your efforts to help our hearts! http://www.squidoo.com/musicfortheheart -Daniel