Heart
Attack Warning Signs
Warning Signs of a Heart Attack
If you have heart disease, you should
know the symptoms of a heart attack so that you can get immediate
medical help.
Not all heart attacks begin with sudden, crushing chest
pain, the way they are so often shown in the movies and on TV.
Instead, the most common warning signal are:
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KNOW THE SYMPTOMS OF
HEART DISEASE. |
- Pain of discomfort in the center of
the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes
back.
- Pain that spreads from the chest to the
arm, neck, or jaw.
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Chest discomfort with sweating, shortness of breath, tiredness, or
upset stomach. These last three symptoms are particularly common in
women.
Immediate Self-Help
If you experience
heart attack
symptoms and are taking nitroglycerin medication, take one
nitroglycerin tablet as soon as you feel discomfort, a second tablet
if the discomfort does not go away in 5 minutes, and a third tablet
after 5 more minutes if you are still experiencing symptoms.
FLU SYMPTOMS
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VASECTOMY REVERSAL
In addition, you should chew one
adult-strength (325 mg) uncoated aspirin. Whether or not you have been
prescribed nitroglycerin, you should take one aspirin. If the symptoms
stop, call your doctor immediately for further advice. If symptoms
continue, dial 9-1-1.
Getting Emergency Care -- A Must
If the above medications do not
relieve your discomfort within 15 minutes, get to the hospital fast.
Be sure you know the phone number to call for emergency
transportation. This is the best way to get to the hospital if you
could be having a heart attack. In many areas, the emergency number
will be 9-1-1; in other areas, it will be a 7-digit emergency number.
(For more information on what to do in case of a heart attack, see
"Steps for Survival")
Medical science now offers treatments
that can stop heart attacks in their tracks if the treatments are
given very quickly after the attack begins. These new treatments
include "clot-dissolving" drugs or coronary angioplasty (aslo called
balloon angioplasty) to reopen the clogged blood vessel that has cut
off the oxygen supply to the heart. These treatments save lives and
reduce damage to the heart muscle -- but only if they are given
immediately.
New research shows that
clot-dissolving medicine also can be used to treat a stroke. But once
again, it must be used quickly in order to be effective. That means if
you have stroke symptoms, you should get emergency help immediately.
Warning signs for stroke include weakness or numbness in the face,
arm, hand, leg, or foot; sudden blurred vision; difficulty speaking;
and sudden dizziness or loss of coordination.
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