Newsletter - Winter 2002 / Spring 2003
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KNOW ABOUT CORONARY HEART DISEASE “The Life You Save May Be Your Own”Coronary Heart disease is America’s No. 1 killer. Stroke is No. 3, and a leading cause of serious disability. That’s why it’s so important to reduce your risk factors, know the warning signs, and know how to respond quickly and properly if warning signs occur. 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 may indicate a heart attack: * 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. This feeling often comes along with or before the chest discomfort. * Other signs. These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness. Don’t Delay, Get Help Right Away! Heart attack and stroke are life-and-death emergencies – every second counts. If you see or have any of the listed symptoms, immediately call 911. Today, heart attack and stroke victims can benefit from new medica- tions and treatments unavailable to patients in years past. For example, clot-busing 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. “Cough CPR” The American Heart Association does not endorse “cough CPR”, a coughing procedure widely publicized on the Internet. [This method suggests that victims can help themselves if alone when suffering a heart attack by coughing repeatedly and very vigorously, with a deep breath taken before each deep and prolonged cough – each cough and breath must be repeated about every two seconds until help arrives, according to the Internet report]. During a sudden arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) it may be possible for a conscious, responsive person to cough forcefully and maintain enough blood flow to the brain to remain conscious for a few seconds until the arrhythmia disappears or is treated. This coughing technique to maintain blood flow during brief arrhythmias has been useful in the hospital, but in such cases the patient is being monitored and a physician is present. Therefore, the usefulness of “cough CPR” is generally limited to the monitored patient in the hospital setting. In other situations, call 911. This information is reprinted from the American Heart Association’s website, www.americanheart.org. |
