Sunday, February 1, 2009

Know The Warning Signs - Mission4Mondays

February 1 - 7 is Women's Heart Health Week


know the warning signs
for heart disease and stroke


Every year heart disease claims the lives of close to half a million women in our country. In fact, it’s the No.1 killer of American women. Since most of those deaths are from coronary heart disease — about 500,000each year — it’s important to learn all you can about heart attacks. Don’t ignore heart problems. It’s a matter of life and death! For example, you should know the warning signs so you can get help right away, either for yourself or someone close to you. Acting quickly can save many, many lives! Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, and 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 thana few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.


• D iscomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or botharms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.


• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.


• Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. 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.


If you or someone you’re with has chest discomfort, especially with one or more of the other signs, don’t wait longer than a few minutes (no more than 5) before calling for help.
Call 9-1-1…Get to a hospital right away.
Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services (EMS) 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. You’ll also get treated faster in the hospital if you come by ambulance. If you can’t access the 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.



For other Mission 4 Monday posts please see Peggy's blog here.

7 comments:

He & Me + 3 said...

That still blows me away that that is the number one killer of women in america. Thanks for the information. Vere good infor to know.

Marsha said...

Love you. Thanks for the reminders for the warning signs.

Marsha said...

Love you. Thanks for the reminders for the warning signs.

Grace said...

Thank you very much for this info, Michelle. It is good that we should spread this around.
May you have a blessed Sunday.
Have a happy Monday. :)

Denise said...

Thanks for sharing such great info.

luvmy4sons said...

Good info for people to know. Thanks again for your faithfulness in this ministry!

Peggy said...

Blessings Michele, Thank you for posting on this most crucial and vital information for all of us!

I've had pain in the chest, hopefully not related to this, but thinking for sure that it was...and went to ER the first time, couldn't even lift my arms for the x-rays that they wanted to take...the pain was excruciating & I was just trying to get up in the night for bathroom duty...and I felt like the wind was knocked out of me, followed by this pain. I was quite young. It ended up being a collapsed lung! The other instance was not as painful but I could not get rid of the pain, no matter how I tried to relax...and it was unexpectant...ended up being panic attacks!

So you can tell...I definitely needed this and being over weight, you need to be more aware. Thank you so much! And bless you for linking this vital info to Mission 4 Monday! It's more than a MISSION!

I was on another MISSION today and did not make it here yet(only 29 of 100). To congratulate you for being a sweet blessed AROMA and nominated as one of the top 100 Christian Women's blog. You most certainly are and deserve this recognition!
This lesson today and every day are fine examples how you love to share info for others to learn! Thank you! Congratulations! Way to go!